Your Kent Wedding - Nov/Dec 2019 (Issue 87)

FROM THE INSIDE OUT Approach W-day feeling fab and looking great with our experts’ guide to wedding wellbeing and beauty FRAZZLED There’s still so much to do and I’m feeling overwhelmed. Help! Katie says: Stop what you’re doing. Close your eyes, breathe in for four seconds and out for six. Repeat three times and you’ll instantly feel physically calmer. The more you physically relax, the more you can mentally relax. Be sure to schedule some wedding-free time. Use it to think, do and speak about anything other than wedding planning. Keeping yourself balanced is important to avoid the post wedding blues. Allocate yourself a worry window. Give yourself 10 to 15 minutes per day to do all of your worrying. If any unhelpful thoughts pop into your head at any other point, park them and tell yourself there’ll be time later. Katie Mahey Therapy | maheytherapy.com P lanning a wedding is no joke! From the moment you say “yes,” your life becomes a giddy whirlwind of venues, flowers, dresses and so much more. It’s a thrilling and wonderful time that all too quickly can take a stressful turn if you start to feel overwhelmed. What’s more, it’s only natural to have a desire to look and feel like the best version of yourself on the big day, which can be a worry in itself if the sheer scale of your to-do list causes you to feel a tad lacklustre. Luckily though, beauty isn’t just skin deep and if you take care of your inner self the resulting outer radiance will make your beauty professionals’ jobs a breeze. CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE I’ve always hated being the centre of attention so I’m becoming increasingly anxious about the wedding instead of enjoying the build up. What can I do? Helen says: 95 per cent of who we are and how we think, feel and act comes from a set of beliefs buried deep in our subconscious, which we may not even know are there. These are often shaped by childhood experiences and form our operating system. I can help you find the beliefs behind your current state of mind. We then upgrade them so that you can operate from a new empowered position free from whatever was holding you back. I’ve been able to help many with the same concern as well as those feeling overwhelmed by the volume of planning or by the need for perfection and those who aren’t getting what they want for their wedding because of the need to please others. Empowering Transformation with Helen Hardware | @HelenHardware KEEP DANCING! I’m looking for a fun way to improve my fitness. What can you suggest? Roby says: Dancing releases endorphins, reduces stress and is great for brain function and the heart. The lead up to your wedding can be a stressful time, so by joining a fitness class you can meet new people, lose yourself in the steps and have an hour of you-time. Fitsteps is great for all abilities and ages. You can do high or low impact intensities, and you can even learn a routine to perform with your bridesmaids at the wedding. Roby’s FitSteps | @RobysFitsteps WELLBEING WELLNESS HACK Practicing mindfulness is a great way to focus on the present and calm anxiety. Try a ten-minute meditation at the end of every day to relax your mind and help you get a peaceful night’s rest. WELLNESS HACK Start a bullet journal. Not only is it a creative and organised way to keep all of your wedmin in one place, it’s also a brilliant mindfulness exercise transferring the thoughts speeding around your head to paper. 111 BEAUTY FEATURE