With all the stress and anxiety going on in our lives right now, I'd like to share with you a simple technique to help you in the midst of the overwhelm. All that is required is for you to breathe. Let me show you.
Find a comfortable seat in your car, break room, living room or even the bathroom. Now close your eyes.
Take a slow deep breath in counting to 4 and hold for a 4 count(1-2-3-4).
Then slowly let the breath out counting to 4.
Take another slow deep breath in counting to 4 and hold for a 4 count.
Then slowly let the breath out counting to 4.
Take another slow deep breath in counting to 4 and hold for a 4 count.
Then slowly let it out counting to 4.
Continue this mindful breathing technique for as long as you wish but doing it at least 3 times.
There are several ways you can add to this technique. I'll share a few in the future. Be sure to follow the blog!
Comment below when you try this technique and let me know how you like it.
Developing a daily attitude of gratitude can make a huge difference in your daily life!
It's a great way to start the day on a positive note and can help shift the energy when the day causes you to become stressed or grumpy.
One way to do this is with Gratitude journaling. It's keeping a record of appreciation or thanks for all that you have received in your life whether from a person, nature, or The Universe/Divine. But it is so much more than that.
Like meditation, gratitude journaling is simply just a way of getting your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts from something negative toward the positive.
How?
By helping you focus on the positive things in your life.
When practiced routinely, there are many great benefits for your mind, body, and spirit. There have been many studies done on practicing gratitude and the benefits the practitioner receives. They have found that when you routinely practice gratitude it can:
Increase concentration and attention span.
Increase self-awareness
Increase awareness of surroundings.
Increase mental clarity and may improve memory
Increases mental discipline and willpower
Reduces muscle tension and relaxes the body
Reduce stress and symptoms of stress-related conditions.
Reduce anxiety, phobias, and OCD
Improve healthy sleep patterns
Improve depression and outlook on life.
Improve positive thoughts and feelings of self as well as others
Create a positive mood.
One thing to keep in mind with this practice is, gratitude is an emotion. So when you are journaling, you should do it with FEELING for what you're thankful for. Otherwise, you're just making a list of things. It won't have the same results.
