Calm, cool and collected: Keep energy up and stress down as you prepare for the wedding

Your wedding may be one of the best days of your life, but it's also going to be long, tiring and perhaps stressful. Here are some tips to keep your energy -- and your mood -- on the up and up.

__Get in good physical shape.__

Brides and grooms are busy people, but it's still important to schedule at least 30 minutes of cardio every day, says Tyler Blessing of TNT Fitness in Cape Girardeau. "Overall this will help to feel more awake and able to take on the activities of the day," he says. He also recommends strength exercises two or three times a week. "Exercising releases endorphins in the body that can improve our moods," he adds.

__Remember to eat well and drink water.__

"Making sure to eat at least three meals a day helps the body know how it can operate and stay on track," says Blessing. "These meals should be diverse and include all the food groups for a balanced diet."

That means no skipping meals because you're too nervous to eat or have too much to do.

"Don't forget to include water throughout the day to stay hydrated, since dehydration can get you down pretty fast," Blessing adds. "Keep a water bottle with you at all times during all the wedding errands to stay hydrated."

__Keep a normal sleep schedule.__

Once again, the mind and body benefit from keeping a regular schedule, and that includes sleep. "Getting seven or eight hours of sleep every night is a must. Those last-minute wedding details can wait until the morning to be solved," says Blessing.

__Ask for help.__

To cut down on stress, start planning your wedding far in advance, and enlist help wherever you can.

"Professional, paid help whenever possible can be a big plus," says Shannon Anderson, owner and clinical director of Heartland Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau. "Professionals who get paid to handle different parts of the wedding process are comfortable with the pressure and deal with it day in and day out. And don't be afraid to ask friends and family for help and support, either. Delegation is the key to stress reduction when it comes to a big, elaborate wedding."

Just remember to ask nicely and keep others' feelings and limits in mind -- no one likes a "Bridezilla."

__Take some time off.__

"Another stress-reliever is to build in days off periodically throughout the planning process. A weekend getaway can work wonders when you're starting to feel the stress," says Anderson.

__Don't sweat the small stuff.__

Not everything is going to go perfectly, and that's OK. "Just relax and let the wedding unfold," says Anderson. "Let everyone else do their job at this point. Trust that you've put in the work needed and things will take care of themselves. If something small is out of place or doesn't go as planned, most people won't notice it anyway. ... Above all, just take a deep breath and relax. This is your day -- try to enjoy it!"