Wellbeing

The Mindful Bride

Clinical psychologist Anne Hamarsnes talks to OurWedding about keeping calm and staying focused before exchanging vows.

Your wedding is one of the most beautiful and meaningful events you will ever experience, but the pressure of planning and preparing for the big day, as well as the inevitable anxiety that accompanies such a major decision can leave you feeling stressed and worn out. Clinical psychologist Anne Hamarsnes, who runs Mindfulness Malta, explained to OurWedding how mindfulness can help you stay as focused, healthy and happy as you should be on the big day.

What is mindfulness?

“In our day-to-day lives, we’re constantly juggling lots of different tasks at the same time. Our minds race non-stop in a hundred different directions, and we end up worrying about problems and dilemmas which we often don’t even have any control over. Mindfulness is the practice of turning that busyness down – allowing you to slow down, regain your calm, focus on your present moment and anchor yourself there.”

What are the benefits of practicing mindfulness ahead of a wedding?

“Planning something like a wedding is something that will occupy a lot of your time and energy. When you practice mindfulness, you not only enjoy the process of planning your wedding more, but you will also be able to switch off more easily when you need to give yourself a break.”

“Furthermore, practicing mindfulness makes it easier to access positive feelings and traits such as self-awareness, patience, non-judgement, acceptance and freedom from needless worry. These tools are valuable not just for the run-up to your wedding day, but for the rest of your life as well.”

How can you practice mindfulness in your day-to-day life?

“There is formal practice as well as informal practice. Formal practice includes meditation – lying or sitting down in a quiet place and letting go of your thoughts. Informal practice can take place any time of the day. When you stop for a coffee break, and really focus on enjoying the smell and taste of your drink instead of scrolling through your phone or worrying about the meeting that you have in the afternoon, that’s mindfulness.”