BIG DAY PREP: MIND, BODY. SOUL

Wedding preparations come with an unhealthy dose of stress and anxiety which can drive partners to altercations. Psychotherapists and newlyweds share their two cents on how to keep sane amid the madness.

- SHRADDHA CHOWDHURY

Given the sheer number of recorded moments of the occasion, every bride and groom wants to look their best for their big day. So a pre-wedding beauty, fitness or diet regime is all part of the game. There are bridal packages galore to pick from. Though here arises the question: what about wellness packages? Dr. Alaokika Motwane, a psychotherapist who works between Mumbai and Goa, truly wishes such deals went beyond aesthetics and looked at mental wellbeing as well.

“I wish people would start offering premarital counselling packages to remind the couple that the ceremony is a small part of their life, and what they really need to learn is ways to prepare themselves for the journey,” she says. “Things like adjustment issues and support come up even when wedding preparations are on, and there’s inevitable friction.”

The road to the final walk down the aisle is fraught with the stress of planning, disagreements and anxiety over things going wrong and tensions beyond the couple’s control. It’s arguably among the toughest periods of a relationship, as families come together, and mentalities, choices and temperaments clash. To counteract such negativity at a time meant to celebrate love and togetherness, one needs to get a support system in place, to navigate the uncharted territory for both parties.

“I’ve seen individuals go through sleepless nights and suffer other physical manifestations like stomach cramps, palpitations and frequent panic attacks,” adds Dr. Vihan Sanyal, a Mumbai-based psychotherapist.