One of the best ways of coping with stress and maintaining your state of calm is to pay special attention to your breathing.
Being aware of your breath will improve your physical and emotional health in very dramatic ways. Breathing slowly and consciously will add years to your life and lessen stress.
Here's a few Breath Awareness Tips...
· Gently inhale through your nose and and exhale through the mouth.
· Keep your head neck and trunk completely straight.
· Make note of the sensation of coolness as you inhale and the sensation of warmth as you exhale.
·Practice slow purposeful breathing with a goal of inhaling for 8 seconds and exhaling for 8 seconds.
·Stay within your comfort zone. Do not strain.
·Practice breath awareness for 12 minutes/twice a day or longer. Your nervous system will gain great benefits from this practice.
In addition, try these relaxation techniques that target specific parts of the body:
The Five Finger Exercise
-In a relaxing chair, sit back and take a few deep breaths.
-Next, establish an easy, regular breathing pattern.
-Take in a deep breath and as you exhale, touch your index finger to your thumb. Imagine a time when your body felt a healthy tired, like how you felt after a good workout, or just stepping out of a hot tub or sauna....
-Now, take another good deep breath, and as you exhale, touch middle finger to your thumb. Imagine a time when you had an especially loving experience, when you felt warm and safe. Take a moment to really lock on to that same feeling as vividly as you had experienced it....
-Next, take another deep breath, and as you exhale, touch your ring finger to your thumb and imagine a time when you performed especially well, when you won something that was important to you. Take that feeling of accomplishment in now and feel it as fully now as you did then...
-Lastly, take one more very deep breath in and as you exhale, touch your little finger to your thumb and as you do, imagine seeing the most beautiful place you have ever experienced... imagine how you would feel being there now...Take a moment to fully absorb what you feel being there.... and when you're entirely ready, and bringing with you all of these same feelings for the rest of your day, come back...
These are two fast, easy ways of coping with stress when your day gets a little too hectic. Try these yourself and experience the refreshing effects--you'll have a a better day guaranteed!
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