With thousands of couples needing to postpone their wedding days (some several times), looking after your mental health has never been more important.
We all deal with and look after our mental health differently. For some, just venting to their partner can relieve their stress and anxiety. For others, a calm walk on their own helps to clear the negative thoughts and achieve a positive outlook. However, many people aren’t sure where to start and that’s why we’ve written this article.
Here are 8 ways you can look after your mental health during COVID uncertainty.
Talk it out
We’ve all been there, no one wants to burden someone else with their problems, especially when there is a pandemic going on. If you’ve had to postpone or are worried about whether your dream wedding will ever go ahead, don’t keep that worry to yourself - it can eventually eat away at you and make things worse.
Talking with your partner, parent, sibling, close friends or colleagues can be a great way to sort through your feelings. You’ll find that it relieves any pent-up stress and anxiety and may even help you to find practical solutions that you may not have considered.
Get back to nature
It is well-known that spending time in nature can benefit your mental health. Think of ways that you can do this and how it will work best for you. Whether you choose to get your hands dirty in the garden for a while or go on a long walk with your partner, spending time in natural surroundings will help ease your stress and anxiety and improve your overall mood.
Avoid the online forums when you’re low
Of course, social media and online forums can be a great help! However, we wouldn’t advise turning to them while you’re feeling low. Negative comments will always be there, but you’ll be able to react to them more reasonably when you are in a better mood.
Remember, other people’s feelings and opinions about the current situation don’t have to mean that the way you feel is wrong. Everyone is in a different situation right now. So, only using social media or advice forums when you are feeling good will help you to have a more positive outlook.
Read the facts rather than the opinions
Reading facts and data about the situation can help you form your own opinion, especially when you have been bombarded with negative personal opinions online.
Your interpretation of data will inevitably be slightly skewed by the frame of mind you are in. Approach the facts with an open mind and a positive outlook, blocking out speculation, so that you can look realistically at the situation, especially if you are needing to make important decisions about your wedding.
Date Night
Spending time with your partner is a great way to boost your mood and forget about your worries. Why not go on a date? You can use it as a time to talk through everything or as a way to forget about the wedding completely. But being able to lean on each other for support is always important.
Do something that you both really enjoy whether that's a walk or cooking your favourite meal and use this time to remember why you have chosen to get married in the first place. You may find that it puts everything into perspective and relieves your anxiety.
Mate Night
Similarly to a date night, a mate night is also a great way to boost your mood. If you are wanting to completely avoid wedding talk, a mate night is probably what you need. Get together with one or more good friends in person or virtually (depending on what is allowed when you are reading this) and have an enjoyable evening.
Under lockdown you could have a Zoom quiz or play online games, make cocktails, or go for a socially distanced walk, the choice is yours.
Tick off what you can from the 'To Do' list
For some, the feeling of accomplishment can sometimes help improve their mental health. So, is there anything you can tick off your wedding 'to do' list? Whether it's choosing your wedding menu or deciding on your first dance song, getting something ticked off the list can help you to feel like the wheels are in motion and more positive about your wedding day.
Do activities that help your mood
Whatever you enjoy, whether that is yoga, painting, running, meditating; take some time to look after you. Your mental health is important, don’t ignore it. Seek enjoyment in the things you love doing and boost your overall outlook.
If you are looking for additional resources to manage your mental health, this blog from Occasion Queens about mental health when planning a wedding during a pandemic has lots of great resources. If you are struggling with your mental health and aren’t sure where to turn, get in touch with Mind. Their information helpline is confidential and will be able to point you in the right direction for support.