BARBARA, arts, educational & cultural consultant: You're getting married. How wonderful! You have made a decision to share your life with another. Friends and family extend well-wishes to you as you anticipate and prepare for the big day.

Planning a wedding, though exciting, can be cause for anxiety. So, it's important to find ways to avoid or relieve the stressors. By implementing a plan, you'll be better prepared for the wedding day and the years to come.

Begin by establishing priorities. Yes, put yourself and your physical and emotional health first. Make time to walk, run, cycle, exercise, dance or swim regularly to relieve stress and provide a feeling of well-being. Listen to music that picks you up when you're down. Al Jarreau does it for me every time. Laugh more. Catch a funny flick, rent a funny video, read the comics or visit a card shop, read the humorous cards and chuckle the rest of the day. Laughter and finding the humor in things will help you survive many marital conflicts.

Next, consider your eating habits. Prepare healthy snacks ahead of time to avoid sabotaging binges. Keep fresh fruits on hand. They're better for you than canned ones. Put your snacks in baggies or plastic wrap the night before. Try these combinations - baby carrots and celery; carrot coins, raisins and crackers; peanut butter crackers and a pear; an apple and two rice cakes with all-fruit spread; cucumber slices and saltines with low-fat cream cheese; grapes and tuna on one slice of whole-grain bread. Don't shortchange your good nutrition. Taking in the right foods in the right proportions will make you feel better.

Plan your drinks. Drink more water. It's a natural body cleanser and an aid to good health and weight loss. Avoid sodas, punch and caffeine to relieve anxiety. You may shed a few pounds, too. Instead, try hot herbal teas for relaxation.

When the big day comes, you'll look radiant in that wedding gown, and you'll have established some healthy habits too. Posted May 28, 2003 05:53 AM