Have you got the post-wedding blues? Here’s what to do!
Planning a wedding is one of the most stressful and exciting things you can do, so it’s no surprise that once the big day is done, you can experience a post-wedding comedown.
Here’s what you need to know about the post-wedding blues and how to manage them.
What are the post-wedding blues?
Post-wedding depression is when couples or individuals feel a sense of anticlimax after their wedding is over. This sadness may continue for several days or a series of months. It can start before or after the honeymoon when newlyweds come down from the excitement of their nuptials and begin to experience the ordinary reality of married life.
Symptoms of the post-wedding blues include:
- Low mood
- Boredom
- Apathy
- Lethargy
- Loneliness
- Lack of life purpose
- Relationship doubts
Is it normal to have the post-wedding blues?
You are not alone if you are feeling let down after your wedding. A 2016 study found that close to half of the participants experienced the post-wedding blues, while 12% of participants felt this way in a larger 2018 study.
So, why do people get the post-wedding blues? While clinical depression typically doesn’t have a specific cause, post-wedding depression is directly linked to the time after a wedding when the excitement of the event fades. Research suggests that the post-wedding blues are not connected to having a disappointing wedding.
How to manage the post-wedding blues
If you’re experiencing the post-wedding blues or the blues while planning your wedding and want to know how to avoid them altogether, here are our top coping and prevention strategies for you to try.
Plan your wedding mindfully
Plan your wedding mindfully and keep who you and your partner are at the forefront of your thinking. Try to stop yourself from comparing your big day to others’ weddings.
Schedule your honeymoon for later
Delaying your honeymoon instead of leaving for a holiday after your wedding means you will have another event to get excited about. This would also allow you to reflect on your wedding day and spend time with family and friends. It eases the transition between being surrounded by people at the ceremony to being alone while travelling with your partner.
Prioritise your relationship over wedding preparations
While your wedding is a significant personal milestone, this doesn’t mean it should be the main focus of your life. Avoid placing other aspects of your life on hold when planning your wedding, and ensure you keep communicating with your partner. This will help you and your partner to feel connected.
Set goals or plans to look forward to
Planning a wedding is a huge time commitment, meaning many couples have extra time after they’ve tied the knot. Couples can make plans together to avoid the post-wedding blues and strengthen their relationship. This may take the form of something simple and ongoing, like a monthly date night. Alternatively, it could be a larger one-off activity like moving houses or renovating a room.
Seek support if your sadness persists
Generally, it’s expected that you will have overcome your post-wedding blues after about six months. If you still feel low after this time has passed, you may like to speak to a counsellor psychologist to express and work through your emotions. You may find that there is something else causing these feelings.
