Eloping is many things—intimate, personal, meaningful, maybe a bit spontaneous—but one thing it shouldn’t be is stressful. You’re doing this to say goodbye to the typical stressors and trappings of a big wedding, to not look back and say, “It all went by so fast.” That said, getting married—however it looks—is a major life change, and will come with a bit of stress. Here are four simple ways to de-stress before you head to your chill happily ever after.
Don’t put off (or forget) your vows
The most common thing couples forget to do when eloping is write their vows. Save yourself the morning-of rush of trying to put your love into words on paper and start making notes a month out. Revisit your notes once a week or when inspiration strikes—they don’t have to be beautifully written, and since you’re eloping, you don’t have an audience watching, anyway. The day before your elopement, give them a final read through, and relax knowing this part is done.
Throw in some yoga
To ensure that you’re present throughout the day, start the morning off with yoga. Certain poses are excellent for mental clarity, and there’s no reason you can’t do them with your partner the morning of. Try the eagle pose, which flushes out your kidneys, thus detoxifying your body, while also opening your hips to improve overall posture. If you’ve got great balance, try the dancer pose, which improves circulation and releases stress while also improving concentration. Not feeling super coordinated? Even a simple downward dog session can improve energy, slow your heart rate, and relax (and tone) your shoulders.
Take a bath
The morning of your elopement, if your accommodations allow for it and you have the time, take 20 minutes to yourself with a warm bath. We all know baths are great for relaxing, but they also have a detoxing effect, too, as the movement of water massages your lymph notes, releasing toxins. Add Epsom salts to reduce swelling and stimulate your circulatory system, or essential oils such as clary sage, which tames anxiety.
Eat Nuts
Nut are truly a super food. First, they’re packed with magnesium, which lowers cortisol (e.g., stress) levels. Magnesium also boosts serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter that plays a major role in happiness (even further, clinical studies have proven it reduces depression). Plus, nuts are lightweight, making them an ideal snack to pack for a hiking elopement.
