‘Post-wedding blues’ can impact individuals from all walks of life as they mourn the loss of wedding planning excitement and enter a new – and perhaps less exhilarating – phase. While symptoms are completely natural, normal and generally short-lived, understanding post-wedding blues and its signs is the first step to recovery.
In this blog post, we share the solutions to getting back on track after your big day and embracing all the joys of married life.
Post-wedding blues: the signs and symptoms
Post-wedding blues, or post-wedding depression, is a condition many just-married individuals experience. Whether you’re feeling a little low alone or your partner shares the same state of mind, the grief that comes with one of the happiest and most joyous times of your life being over is no joke.
As relationship therapist Geoff Lamb explains, low mood is just one of the signs that you may be experiencing post-wedding blues:
“Once the day has happened and you’re back from the dream honeymoon, it isn’t surprising that ordinary life seems boring and mundane… The signs or symptoms of post-wedding depression are quite varied, but can include boredom, apathy, lack of pleasure in life, tetchiness with your partner, not having a purpose in life, even having doubts about the person you married.”
Why couples get post-wedding blues
With recent research revealing that 96% of couples planning their weddings found the experience stressful, those finally making their way to the altar to say “I do” should be able to breathe a huge sigh of relief. All too often however the reality post-wedding is very different, with many newlyweds finding it difficult to leave behind the excitement (and even the chaos!) of wedding planning and their big day.
Post-wedding depression often results, and with more and more of us in touch with our mental health and wellbeing, taking action – rather than ignoring the symptoms – is certainly the way to go.
The solutions to help you during this time
If you’re at a stage where your wedding day hasn’t been and gone, taking mindful steps now to prevent post-wedding blues is recommended. From delegation to taking regular breaks, making wedding planning work for you, and reducing stress in the process, will prepare your mind for the road ahead.
Whether your wedding day has passed or not, making an effort to stay focused when planning the next phases of your wonderful life together is certain to lift your spirits. Remember, your wedding doesn’t and shouldn’t define your marriage. Many couples make plans to look forward to. This could be a fun date night or weekend away, or even something a little more practical, like completing a long overdue improvement project at home.
Maintaining healthy communication with your partner is the key to overcoming post-wedding blues and nurturing your relationship as a whole. Your spouse is there to support you, and vice versa – it’s the beauty of marriage! You may also want to take this opportunity to renew and invest in relationships with other loved ones, such as family and friends.
