Getting married is an exciting time for any bride; however it is also be fuelled by nerves, which can keep cause you to awake at night. Silent Night says beauty sleep is not a myth and a bride must get her rest the night before her big day.

Silentnight's sleep expert, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, says: "Getting married is such an important and significant time in someone's life, but it can bring with it a level of stress, which consequently can lead to a lack of sleep.

"Although a lot of emphasis is put on the night before the wedding day, maintaining a good lifestyle in the weeks before can be key to feeling refreshed and ready to say 'I do'."

Dr Nerina, physiologist, sleep therapist, author and consultant for more than 20 years, offers her five top lifestyle hacks to help you sleep soundly in the weeks before your wedding day:

Eat healthily - especially breakfast

The hormones serotonin and melatonin are essential during times of stress, to keep your system in harmony. Foods like chicken, tofu, cheese, eggs, nuts, seeds and milk will naturally help to boost these hormone levels. Eating your breakfast within 30 minutes of the alarm going off levels the metabolism, blood sugar and melatonin production.

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Stay well hydrated

When your muscles lack in fluids the electrolytes shrink, so your muscles don't work as effectively. Drinking lots of water stops this from happening as well as water retention and makes sure your body is cleared of any impurities- which also reduces puffiness around the eyes.

Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption

Caffeine, refined sugars and alcohol are all stimulants and make sleeping a challenge. Many people think that alcohol aids sleep but in fact it disrupts it causing tossing and turning and excess sweating during the night.

Exercise regularly

Going to the gym or taking the stairs in place of the lift- moving your body is proven to keep you alert during the day and out like a light during the night. It also reduces stress to help you drift into a deep sleep.

Try getting an early night

Getting into your bed by 10-10.30pm is a great help for your immune system. It clears out any toxins in your body. Having this routine most days increases the quality of your sleep and thus helps you to get a great night's sleep the night before your wedding.

The final sleep:

If you have followed the steps above, by sticking to your routine, you should have a prolonged period of rest. Try not to worry about it beforehand, if you have put all the things in place in the run up, then one night shouldn't affect the way you look on the day.

If you wake in the middle of the night- restrain yourself and don't look at the clock. Breathe in deeply, put your left hand on your chest and your right hand on your belly and think positively. You have lots to look forward to so trust you have planned well and it go will.

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