Just Breathe

People often underestimate the power of breathing. I find that ironic considering "your breath is your life force" as my yoga instructor likes to say. Thus, it stands to reason, that it can be a powerful tool in moments of stress and anxiety.

There are varying degrees of feeling overwhelmed and so many reasons these days it seems. Sometimes your to do list may be more than any one person can accomplish in a day. Sometimes, it is not the number of things you must do, but that you feel emotionally overwhelmed or mentally too exhausted to focus and accomplish even the most basic things on your list.

I suffer from both of these, as well as other high stress and anxiety ridden situations that cause me to lose focus and interest on all things until the situation causing these feelings passes. There are a lot of things I have learned over the years that allow me to regroup and be productive even when I feel like I'm "drowning". One of the fastest techniques that shifts my flow of consciousness back to something manageable is controlled breathing.

Do you notice when you are concentrating on something difficult or performing a tough exercise you may find yourself holding your breath. When you are in high stress situations, your body is almost "holding its breath" waiting for it to end. Whenever I'm feeling this way, I pause from whatever stressful situation I am in, I inhale through my nose for a count of seven, I hold my breath for a count of four, and then I exhale through my nose for a count of eight. There is almost an immediate sense of relief as my mind clears and my body relaxes.

Granted, breathing alone won't solve most of your problems. But it will give you some mental clarity, force you to act less rashly, and relaxes your body from its natural "fight or flight" state it rises to in stressful situations.

Conclusion: just breathe.