Elizabeth Mahaney is an approved pre-marital provider, marriage, and family therapist at South Tampa Therapy specializing in communication and the Gottman Approach with 20 years of experience. Although she’s based in Tampa, Florida, she also works virtually with clients and couples and is licensed in Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, South Carolina, and North Carolina. She is SUPER excited to announce her contribution to a great pre-marital article about how to look and feel your best for the big day, published by Dotdash Meredith publishing in BRIDES Magazine 87 years of expert advice and inspiration, for every couple. Brides is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

Elizabeth Mahaney, LMHC, MFT, LPC, LCPC, CCTP, NCC, DCC, and clinical supervisor of state registered interns is honored to be included in the Dotdash Meredith family, an operating business of IAC, the largest digital and print publisher in America. From mobile to magazines, nearly 200 million people trust IAC to help them make decisions, take action, and find inspiration. Dotdash Meredith's over 50 iconic brands include BRIDES, PEOPLE, Better Homes & Gardens, Verywell, FOOD & WINE, The Spruce, Allrecipes, Byrdie, REAL SIMPLE, Investopedia, Southern Living, Care.com, iTranslate, Health, InStyle, Martha Stewart LIVING, SHAPE, TRAVEL + LEISURE, and more.

CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE:

10 Healthy Habits to Adopt Before Your Wedding

Look and feel your best for the big day. HERE

Here is an excerpt from the article.

Although planning a wedding is an exciting time in your life, there’s no doubt that it’s a time-consuming and sometimes overwhelming process. From sending out your invitations to selecting your menu, there are so many details you need to attend to. Amid all the wedding madness, it can be really easy to forget about nurturing your own health and wellbeing.

If you are need of Pre-Marital Counseling in a variety of forms: Courses, Programs, Live-Sessions, Tele-health, Zoom… You have found the right place. We will individual and create a plan based on your unique needs. (No cookie-cutter approaches here;) Reach out to ask any questions: TEXT, CALL, EMAIL.

Not to mention, burying yourself in the planning logistics without prioritizing your wellbeing may impede upon your relationship. “Many premarital couples will find their patience tested during the wedding planning process,” therapist Elizabeth Mahaney says. “When stress causes partners to feel overwhelmed and disconnected, misunderstandings happen and unintentional relationship havoc ensues.”

To avoid these common pitfalls, taking care of your health is vital. In fact, orchestrating your celebration requires even more attention on your wellbeing. Whether it’s establishing a realistic exercise routine or regularly practicing mindfulness, making positive lifestyle changes prior to your special day will make you look and feel your best.

Invest in Your Sleep Hygiene

Leading up to the wedding, sleepless nights are very common. With so many details to finalize, shutting off your mind to get some shut eye might seem impossible. Sleeping seven to nine hours a night has loads of benefits, such as decreasing stress, strengthening your immune system, improving your cognition, regulating blood sugar, and enhancing your mood, Verywell Health2 reports. 

To make sure you’re getting enough beauty sleep before the big day, focus on your sleep hygiene. “This means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, and keeping your bedroom dark and quiet,” Mahaney advises.

Practice Mindfulness

Whether you’re contemplating whether to hire a live band or a DJ or trying to figure out a realistic getting ready schedule, you’re probably spending a lot of time in your head leading up to the wedding. Living in your thoughts creates unnecessary stress and anxiety. Enter: mindfulness. The whole idea is developing awareness by noticing your thoughts and feelings without judgment and letting them pass. When you learn to accept whatever comes your way, you’ll feel more present and at ease, which will help you savor every moment before and during your special day. “Presence doesn’t just alter your sense of wellbeing,” Mahaney explains. “It may also improve the quality of what you do, leading to more creative flow, closer relationships, and increased productivity."

Mindfulness is a skill that you can develop over time, and you can apply the technique to any part of your day. For instance, the next time you brush your teeth, take a walk, or eat dinner, focus on your senses—what you see, smell, touch, taste, and hear. The more you practice, the more present you’ll feel in your life.

ARTICLE SOURCES

Brides takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

1. Harvard Health Publishing. "How Much Water Should You Drink?" May 15, 2022.

2. Verywell Health. "10 Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep." January 1, 2022.

3. Healthline. "6 Journaling Benefits and How to Start Right Now." February 22, 2022.

4. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. "Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy." August 4, 2011.