Let's Take A Breath! - Foundational Principle #1
/
* Please feel free to forward this to friends and family. They can join my newsletter by signing up below and follow along!
What could be worse than compromising our immune system by ignoring the basics of Health and Wellness at this time of uncertainty?
I am not sure of anything!
I don’t know about you but I do not want to come out the other end of this epidemic without becoming aware of what serves me and what does not. Now is not the time to continue old habits and patterns that are keeping us stuck. It is actually a perfect time to intercept them with simple basic principles of health and wellness.
We all know that stress causes the body's cortisol levels to increase which in turn lowers our overall immunity.
Going Back to the Basics
For the next 6 weeks, I will be covering one weekly free simple foundational principle of Health and Wellness. I’ve made a few post announcements about this on my Instagram. Take a look, follow, like and share!
This week the practice is Breathing!
I am not suggesting you have to practice a certain breathing technique. On the contrary, I am offering you an arsenal of simple tips and tools when it comes to breathing.
Remember breathing is FREE! We have no excuse now, plus time is on our side. There are no negative outcomes of inhaling and exhaling.
Let’s become aware that breathing is innately ours and most of all, it is what keeps us alive!
BREATHE
The simplest and most powerful mind-body technique that I know, is absolutely FREE! And literally, is right under your nose (no pun intended).
Breathwork can be a powerful intervention for anxiety, depression, FEAR, irregular heart rhythms, hypertension and disorders of circulation and digestion.
Breathwork the easiest way to align yourself with the feeling of peace & relaxation. It’s funny though, this seems to be the hardest discipline for us to make into a positive habit.
I have been working on breathwork for years and years and it still takes a conscious effort for me! My breathing practice seems to be the first discipline I let go of when life gets uncertain, even knowing that it is the simplest practice to turn to.
When we are angry, anxious and irritable, our heart rate increases causing rapid, shallow and irregular breathing. Once we are in that situation our cortisol hormone, increases, in turn, putting us in a fight or flight situation causing stress to encompass our entire being.
The more you move your breath through your body, the more efficient your respiration will be, the more oxygen will be delivered to organs, and the more harmoniously your nervous system will function. A ton of benefits with little effort!
My personal practice is inhaling for a count of 5, holding for 5, and exhaling for a count of 5. I use the app, Insight Timer, and practice for 3-5 minutes. At the bottom of this blog, I’ve compiled a list of my top 5 favorite breathing apps just for you.
Now, let’s start this habit, shall we?
Places & Times We Can Intercept a Negative Pattern With A Breath:
Instead of complaining… take a breath
Instead of engaging in worrisome “what-if” conversation…
take a breathInstead of focusing on the negative… take a breath
Instead of increased time on social media… take a breath
Instead of reacting from fear… with a breath
Instead of holding your breath… BREATHE!
Simple Moments of Breathing Opportunities:
When awakening and at bedtime
Upon entering an uncomfortable situation
Upon entering the car
At a red light
Before sitting for a meal
Entering a business meeting or phone call
Listening to the news
Engaging with social media
Helpful Breathing Mobile Apps:
Insight Timer
Calm
Headspace
10% happier
Breathe2Relax
Breathe, Relax, and Breathe,
* Please feel free to forward this to friends and family. They can join my newsletter by signing up below and follow along!
* Please feel free to forward this to friends and family. They can join my newsletter HERE and follow along*