How a Full Eight Hours Can Affect Your Big Day (Wedding or Otherwise)

Sleep is essential every day, but it's especially important when you have a significant event like your wedding. We all need rest to function well, physically, mentally, emotionally. When you're not getting the sleep you need, it's tough to get through the day, much less an important day when you want to be at your best.

What Happens When You Don't Sleep Well

If you're not sleeping well, you'll suffer, both on your big day and beyond. You're at a greater risk of getting sick and developing chronic health conditions such as heart disease and cancer. After one night of poor sleep, your concentration and cognitive focus suffer, along with your memory, problem-solving, and alertness. You're forgetful, your risk of getting in an accident increases, and it can even reduce your libido.

And if you're concerned about looking your best on your big day, sleep is essential. You'll look tired, and the condition of your skin will suffer. People with too little sleep may have more fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin, and skin looseness.

Your wedding day should be joyful, not a drag. But if you aren't sleeping well, it will be tough to get through. It can be a physically and emotionally tasking day as you get ready, greet guests, go through the ceremonies, and dance the night away. You'll need all of the energy you can get for that -- and that means getting your full night of sleep the night before your wedding, and ideally, every night.

How to Sleep Well for Big Days

Of course, sleep is sometimes easier said than done. Wedding jitters, last-minute projects, guests, and events leading up to your big day can interfere with healthy sleep -- and some people just have a hard time with sleep in general. That's only compounded with the excitement of a wedding.

Use these tips to protect your sleep time and make the most of your rest before your wedding day or any other big day:

• Make time for relaxation. Stress and anxiety go hand in hand with weddings. There's a lot to worry about, and that can definitely keep you up at night if you're not careful. It's normal to have these feelings, but managing them appropriately is key. Take time to vent to loved ones about what's on your mind, and use relaxing activities to shake off stress and get in the right mental place for sleep and a great wedding day. Take a bubble bath, do yoga, practice meditation, journaling, or any other activity that offers stress relief for you.

• Plan activities around sleep. Bachelor and bachelorette parties, the rehearsal dinner, and other events leading up to your wedding could keep you out too late for a good night of sleep. Plan ahead and have them end early enough for you to get your full night of sleep, or on a night when you have some time to sleep in or nap the next day to catch up.

• Don't leave projects last minute. Again, this may be easier said than done, but you shouldn't be staying up after midnight putting bows on favors or updating your seating chart. Ask for help to get everything done, and plan ahead so as your wedding date nears, you have more time to relax instead of work. Delegate last-minute tasks to other people so you're not wrapping things up when you should be resting.

• Work through sleep issues. If you're dealing with chronic sleep disorders, that's not going to change when you're getting married. And the stress of the event may actually make things worse. Talk to your doctor about how you can deal with any sleep disorders or difficulty with sleeping, such as chronic pain.

Big days require big preparation, and that includes sleep. Make sure you're prioritizing rest so you can look and feel your best on your wedding day and every day.

Amy Highland is a sleep expert at SleepHelp.org. She loves taking naps during thunderstorms and cuddling up with a blanket, book, and cats.