Stress of Wedding Planning Takes Toll on the Body

By Gina M. Scott, InsWeb.com

In between phone calls to the catering company and figuring out where to seat weird Uncle George, you've got final dress fittings, reception insurance papers, bridesmaids' gifts, and make-up practice runs. It's no wonder you're stressed! Don't let wedding stress get the upper hand or your body could pay the price.

How Wedding Stress Affects the Body

Stress can cause irritability, anxiety and anger, as every bride knows. Stress can also cause muscle tension, headaches, back aches, jaw pain, stomach aches and heart burn, high blood pressure, rapid heart beat and palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and chest pain.

Weddings can take years to plan, meaning wedding stress could slip into the long-term, or "chronic," stress category. Long-term wedding stress could contribute to heart problems, hypertension, stomach ulcers or in extreme cases, heart attack or stroke. Migraines and tension headaches from prolonged muscle tension can also be caused by chronic stress.

Ways to Reduce Wedding Stress

The closer the clock ticks to your wedding day, the more stress you're going to feel. Brides need to be wary of letting their stress levels get too high. Here are some suggestions to help brides relax and regain some sanity:

• Delegate-Don't take on too much all by yourself-that's what bridesmaids are for.
• Have a Spa Day-You could get a massage, pedicure or a facial. Or if money's an issue, just banish everyone from your sight for a few hours and take a bubble bath. You're the bride, you can do what you want!
• Read a Book-Pick up your favorite (non-wedding related) book or magazine and crash in a corner chair for awhile.
• Go for a Walk-Have you forgotten what season it is? Whip out your tennis shoes and take a stroll round the neighborhood. That fresh air will do you good.
• Meditate-Many stress experts and counselors recommend some kind of meditation/prayer/deep breathing as a way of taking your mind off what is stressing you. Clear your head of all things wedding.

Here are some other suggestions for reducing wedding stress and feeling better from The American Psychological Association:

• Count to 10 (or 20!)-Makes you stop and take your mind off what is stressing you
• Listen to soothing music
• Eat well-balanced meals
• Get enough sleep
• Talk to family or friends about what is bothering you
• Think positive-Don't worry about things you can't control

Wedding Stress Can Affect Health Insurance

Though you may not believe it now, after your beautiful wedding is over life will return to normal. Eventually you'll need to get back into the swing of regular life, and that includes applying for health insurance if you haven't already. When applying for certain health plans you will have to give a health history, which could include high blood pressure, migraines or other health issues from wedding stress. So release the wedding stress from your life, as much as possible, now. Getting married is a stressful time, but it is how you manage this time that keeps your body from feeling the effects. Congrats, and remember to breathe!

If you want to learn more about health insurance, visit the InsWeb Learning Center.