Try these breathwork exercises, courtesy of Happy Not Perfect founder Poppy Jamie.
When your future mother-in-law surprises you with a list of last-minute guest list additions, your officiant drops out, and your wedding dress needs yet another fitting, it's understandable if the pre-wedding stress has you feeling short of breath. We've all been there. It's honestly hard to remember to breathe in, breathe out with a million wedding details racing through your head—but it's oh-so important if you don't want to feel overwhelmed as your big day approaches. Thankfully, there are some helpful breathing exercises brides can try when the pre-wedding stress hits. And breathing expert Poppy Jamie is here to break them down!
This discovery was literally a breath of fresh air for Jamie, who then wanted to share it with the world. She became a breathing instructor to help other people on their journey to taking their first proper breaths. “It’s so freeing,” she says. "It’s just using our bodies right."
So what is proper breathing? Brides sat in on a workshop with Jamie, along with Breathe Right, to find out. When we breathe, the short breaths we typically take through our chest aren’t really cutting it. Jamie recommends a "belly breath," which means inhaling through your nose and filling up your belly for a five-count breath.
"Practice taking full, deep ‘belly’ breaths through your nose," Poppy says. "On the inhale, practice letting your stomach expand. On the exhale, allow your belly to move towards the spine. Remember to relax your shoulders and breathe slowly through your nose for five seconds, then exhale slowly for five seconds. Focus on breathing this way for at least 30 seconds or until you feel calm."
Jamie recommends doing the app’s seven-step Refresh, which the founder describes as a happiness workout, on the morning of your wedding.
1. You identify the emotions you are currently feeling.
3. Journal and digitally burn your negative thoughts away.
4. Write a gratitude diary to help reframe and rewire your mind to start thinking about the positives.
5. Play a quick game to help distract any nervous thoughts.
6. Complete a compassion exercise.
7. Take the attention away from yourself, and make someone else feel good by sending them a positive vibe or words of encouragement directly through the app.
While these steps should be easy enough to follow with the app, brides might find themselves a little preoccupied in the bridal suite before walking down the aisle. If your wedding day schedule doesn’t allow time for this routine, Jamie stands by her advice to just breathe.