Just Breathe

Inhale, exhale. Just breathe.

Have you ever stopped and noticed your breath: before a work meeting, before eating, before responding to text messages, before dealing with a particular person(s), or any number of things that we may do or have to deal with on a constant basis? Most of us live such fast-paced, often on autopilot, lives, it becomes difficult or out of thought, to actually slow down, be present, and breathe. We are constantly thinking about the next task, work, the check lists, the kids, bills, the Christmas list(s), and on, and on.

How often do we put it all down and just breathe?

Not sleep. I’m talking awake, conscious, and aware breathing? Have you sat still with one hand on your chest and one on your abdomen and felt your breath flow through your body: as you take a deep slow breath? Have you paid attention to what that breath feels like as it moves in your nostrils, across the back of your throat? Felt your chest and abdomen rise, as you move your breath through and past those tense spots: your shoulders, hips, lower back? Then feel the release of that breath as the chest and abdomen fall, then back through the body and out the nostrils.

This breathing practice was introduced to me a few years ago, as a part of my yoga practice.

It sounds kind of silly at first, at least it did to me. I mean, we breath all day every day, literally in our sleep. Of course, I am breathing. True, but that is involuntary. We do not actually have to think about breathing, our brain handles that in the background. But, like many things that seem to come to us so easily, we can take it for granted. To slow down enough to be conscious and aware of your breath, and thus your space and existence, can be overwhelming at first, at least for me.

Life was coming at me full speed and I was trying to manage it all, but was left feeling slightly anxious, worried, and panicked. When I first sat down to just breathe, I was left feeling more anxious, worried, and panicked. It took me a few practices to learn to breathe through those feeling and emotions to reach a state of calm.

Truth be told, there are still days and situations where this requires more practice than other times.

I continue to get used to being still and feeling myself. These moments of breathing are teaching me to slow my mind, and my emotions down. Then, I can honor and take in exactly what I am feeling and proceed in a more healthy and productive way. Breathing has helped me to deal with and react to difficult situations, in a calmer way (both outward and internally).

This time of the year can be especially stressful.

On top of our already busy lives, we have added pressures of hunting down the best and perfect gifts, spending time with our families, hosting parties, end of year work demands, traveling, working through holiday grievances, just to name a few.

Finding a moment, even 3 minutes every day, to intentionally breathe, has helped cultivate tranquility and relaxation within my life.

I take a moment to breathe before I do anything that I know could or would normally induce stress. As we move through the holidays and these hectic times, no matter where we are, or what we are up against, try to remember to just breathe.

What stresses you about the holidays?What helps calm you? Do you have a breathing practice? We’d love to hear it! Thank you.