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Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Midlands Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yourmidlands.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Rest Your Head
| Q | I'm struggling to sleep at night during the run-up to our wedding. What advice can you share to help? |
| A | Dr Sophie Bostock says: A good night's sleep starts first thing in the morning. Get out of bed as often as possible, which will help keep your circadian rhythms in sync and your body running efficiently. Physical activity plays a crucial role in promoting good sleep. Exposing yourself to bright light in the morning helps to banish lagging melatonin and feel energised. Engaging in daily physical activity, in a form that suits you, helps to build up sleep pressure and has been found to improve sleep quality. From yoga to more vigorous cardio exercise, find what works best for you. Take time to process thoughts and emotions before you get ready for bed. Many of us are kept awake by a mind racing with thoughts we haven't had time to process during the day—experiment with writing a daily journal to download your thoughts to paper. Research has shown that simply writing a to-do list for the following day can help you fall asleep faster. Gratitude practices can also help to defuse anxious thoughts. Take time in your busy day to pause. Many of us dash through the day at 100mph, relying on stress hormones to fuel the constant demands on our attention. Regarding bedtime, we're stuck in the 'on position'. Practising breathwork, mindfulness or relaxation techniques during the day will make it easier to relax at night. We need to train the brain and body in the skill of relaxation. Hotpod Yoga's new Sleep Sessions class encourages deep relaxation in a safe environment. It provides an opportunity to hit that pause button during the afternoon or to support your evening wind-down routine. You learn to practice the art of relaxation so that your mind and body become familiar with the state you need for restorative sleep. Many struggle to switch off at night! Chronic stress and poor sleep can push us into a chronic state of hyperarousal; we get stuck in 'fight or flight' mode. Yoga combines physical movement, breathwork and meditation techniques, which develop deep relaxation skills. Research shows that yoga helps people gain awareness and a sense of control over their minds and bodies, and there is evidence that regular yoga practice can help improve strength, the flexibility immune function, mental health, sleep quality and overall wellbeing. |
Dr Sophie Bostock, Hotpod Yoga Derby
Pets At Weddings
| Q | How can we incorporate our three dogs into our ceremony? |
| A | Emma and Adrian Cartlich says: Hire a professional wedding dog chaperone specialist to assist and coordinate your furry friends' roles in the ceremony. The chaperones will liaise with the registrars and venue coordinators accordingly to ensure a stress-free service. The most popular role for your dog is a ring bearer. They will run down the aisle with your wedding rings attached in a secure holder. Alternatively, flowergirl or dog-of-honour is a cute role for multiple dogs. They could walk down the aisle one by one with your bridesmaids or maid-of-honour, then be passed to the chaperones. Another option would be for your pooches to sit with the rest of your guests, accompanied by a chaperone while the ceremony takes place. |
Emma and Adrian Cartlich, Precious Pets Weddings
