- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
Lately I have felt like this:
You know that great balancing act between work/school, wedding, family, and life in general? Well, right now I seem to be failing at the balancing part. If life were a tightrope then I would be falling fast…and unfortunately right now I dont have enough stress/life management skills to create a safety net to save me.
To give you a brief overview of what is going on in my life right now:
it’s exam time, wedding projects are starting to require more attention, we’ve had some unexpected financial issues with broken computers and such, Mr E’s visa is causing anxiety, I’m meant to be preparing myself for a research thingy over the summer, as well as packing up and moving from my current place, and there are a couple family issues going on. All these stresses combined are aggravating certain health problems, causing me to lose sleep, and just making me even more nuts that usual.
What’s a girl to do? I figure that now is the right time to learn some good stress management habits. If I learn them now, then closer to the wedding when sh*t might really hit the fan I will be able to be calm and not kill myself (or others) with anxiety.
That’s where I need your help. Please share your best stress management tips with me! Because right now all I have up my sleeve is procrastination and binging on dark chocolate…which is fine for an hour or so but only makes the stress worse in the end.
How do you cope in times of high stress?
Lists. I’m a chronic lister. I have a daily to-do list, and then a more encompassing range for wedding tasks, house tasks, and everything else. It really helps me stay on track. And a daily planner is invaluable. You never lose track of things that need to be taken care of, and it’s nice to see it get distributed throughout the week, and great when you can cross things off!
Oh, I hear you on the juggling things! I know it doesn’t solve anything, but long hot baths with lavender and a good book that isn’t about weddings or planning - that helps me!
I honestly just sit and watch mindless tv for an hour or two. It just helps me zone out and take my mind off whatever is stressing me out, and usually I can laugh and it makes me feel better. (Warning: if you do this, DO NOT WATCH WEDDING SHOWS or it will just make it worse.) Also I eat snacks while I watch my tv.
when I feel like I have a million things to do and no time to do them, I get out my calendar… I write out everything I need to do, and set aside time to do it.
IE: Today - 11-12 study, 12:30 eat, 1-2 find inspiration for invitation suite
Don’t forget to make time for nothing at all… to take a bath, or read a book or some other YOU time.
and yes, I do sometimes schedule food breaks 
Wait, procrastination and binging on chocolate are not a way to handle stress?!?! 
I knew I was doing something wrong.
In all honestly I make list and prioritize them. It helps me to know whats needs to be done ASAP.
This sounds really lame but I make a priority list. Be as detailed as necessary. From your post I would say your exams are priority number 1 unless the health issues are truly life altering. This process helps me focus my attention and get a real big picture. It has gotten me through law school, work, and life in general. After creating your list you may see that a DIY project is unneeded or can be simplified.
It sounds like you have a lot of reasons to be stressed right now!
I usually first tell myself that it’s normal to be stressed/anxious considering whatever I’m going through - helps me validate my emotions a little bit.
Otherwise I try to always make time for myself - even if it’s just watching a 30min sitcom to veg out and restore my sanity.
Otherwise, checklists of actual accomplishable tasks (e.g., instead of ‘plan wedding invites’ make the task for today ‘buy envelopes’, or something) help,
Most importantly, talking to someone. Often when I’m up late at night stressing, I’ll just spill my guts to my man and feel much better once it’s out there and said - seems much more manageable too.
good luck and take care! *hug*
Breathe. Deep belly breaths, in through your nose, out through your mouth, for several minutes when you begin to feel yourself reaching the edge. Do it until you begin to feel relaxed. Meditate, go for a run, but get some air in your lungs. It sounds simple but trust me, it works. I’m a therapist, I prescribe this to clients all the time!
@feministbride: That’s exactly what I was going to write! Deep breaths, and taking some time for yourself to relax!
Regular meals. Crucifying though they can be. Poor nutrition leads to mood swings leads to increased anxiety leads to feeling overwhelmed… Sitting down at the table with my husband also forces both of us to take a break from whatever happens to be going on and just BE - even if it’s for 15 minutes and we’re downing reheated burritos.
Thanks for the tips everyone, you are all so sweet. I am definitely trying these all out and will conquer this stress in the end!
This is me right now too. I know what I need to do. I know I need to relax and take time for myself. But that doesn’t get stuff done! It’s so hard to balance sometimes!
My go to de-stress tips include: hot hot hot showers/baths, reading a book, drinking tea, and getting to bed early. I get even more rundown (and sick!) when I don’t get enough sleep. I am getting a massage on Friday (oh, it’s been so long!) and I CANNOT WAIT!
I just want to start out by saying that the title of your post totally reminded me of the movie “Hook” - one of my all-time favorites!
As far as de-stressing goes, I’m a big fan of going on walks/runs, taking a nice hot bath, listening to music, and making sure I’m getting enough sleep. Depending on the things you’re stressed about (and it sounds like you’ve got quite a few!) I also sometimes find that journaling is a great release. Just the number one thing I can suggest is finding some “me” time. Take care!
I have to agree with the deep breaths and time to relax. Good Luck Earrings!
@kelsgurl: YESSSSS, HOOK! Have to save Maggie, have to save Jack …
Anywho, Miss Earrings … hang in there! I don’t have very good suggestions because I am doing TERRIBLY with the work/wedding balance right now, but if you can find time to try yoga, it really does help with stress. But finding time to do YOGA may cause more stress, so don’t worry about it if that doesn’t work out. How about wine?! Is 20 old enough to drink wine in New Zealand?
@dance: i would kill for a massage right now…might have to throw hints at Mr E!
@kelsgurl: Hook is awesome!
@Miss Panther: haha wine sounds like a good plan actually 
and yes, in NZ our legal drinking age is 18!
I’m running into the same problem One thing I’m finding is helping is meditation, just a quick 10 minutes before bed to get some good sleep and be ready for the next morning. http://www.meditationoasis.com has been a lifesaver!
I have really bad anxiety and what really helps me relax is yoga. I practice vinyasa and I have newly started practicing kundalini, which I feel really clears my head. Try different practices until you find one that is right for you. ANother plus is that I love it and its helping me to get in shape!
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Earrings, Fresno, CA/ Nelson, New Zealand Age and Occupation: 20, Student, Wannabe Writer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 19, Photography Student Engagement Date: February 14, 2010 Wedding Date: January 2011 Venue: Gardens of the World About Me: I'm a girl from down under who grew up in Indonesia and I'm marrying a California boy. I'm addicted to all things sweet, have never met a chocolate silk pie than can get the better of me, and have dreams of one day being a fulltime novelist. I go weak in the knees for lace, tea cups, and a beautifully crafted sentence. When I get excited about something (whether it is historical linguistics or the Beatles) I tend to go overboard in research, and planning this wedding is no different. Mr. Earrings is my high school sweetheart, my best friend, and somehow we combine all our quirks into one big happy mess.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics