inhale. exhale.
have you ever felt stressed out . . . ?
[are you rolling your eyes and screaming "OF COURSE!!" at me?]
okay, i know you've been under stress before. maybe you are under stress right now. perhaps it's an ongoing way of life for you.
so . . . what do you DO about it?
there are many stress management programs and workshops. and checklists and solutions. and tips and techniques.
and many of these strategies are effective.
but what if you need something IMMEDIATELY? something that will get you through the NEXT MOMENT? something that will calm you enough to clear your head AT ONCE?
well, i'll share the method i use that seems to be foolproof. and you already know how to do it.
it's called B-R-E-A-T-H-I-N-G.
there is a mantra that SCUBA divers repeat over and over to themselves.
STOP. BREATHE. THINK. then ACT.
divers get into trouble when they panic. when they make fear-based decisions. when they fail to remember their training. when they forget to breathe.
STOP. BREATHE. THINK. then ACT.
STOP. the frenzy of alarm.
BREATHE. deep calming breaths.
THINK. of a possible solution.
then ACT. notice that breathing precedes thinking here. breathing is a quick but powerful de-stressing agent that allows you to settle the agitation. then prepares you for the next steps, thinking and taking action.
during moments of distress we tend to take short, shallow breaths. i find myself even going so far as to hold my breath when i encounter a stressful situation.
as soon as i consciously begin taking in deep cleansing breaths, i relax. i feel energized and able to tackle what is in front of me. all it takes is a few minutes of focused breathing.
breathe in slowly for 2 counts. breathe out slowly for 2 counts. repeat.
and feel the tension being released from your body.
B-R-E-A-T-H-E.
in with calm. out with stress. in with calm. out with stress.
inhale strength. exhale fear.
inhale determination. exhale avoidance.
inhale composure. exhale anxiety.
in with calm. out with stress. in with calm. out with stress.
B-R-E-A-T-H-E.
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