We need some stress in life, some challenges to help us grow and feel good about ourselves. But too much stress can lead to disease. Different studies have indicated anything from between 70 to 90% of all dis-ease and dis-order states come from too much stress in our lives. Currently we are seeing a staggering increase in the number of people suffering from anxiety. Anxiety is stress on steroids!
The easiest and quickest way to calm down and relax is to focus on breathing. Conscious breathing and meditation are ways of reducing stress by reintegrating mind with body. Concentration on breathing, sometimes with the use of mantras or special words, is key to many different meditation practices.
JF peacefully sitting, breathing and sipping tea
Both conscious breathing and meditation have been cited in numerous studies around the world to have beneficial effects on: anxiety, stress, insomnia, panic symptoms, hypertension and heart disease, headaches, social and generalized anxiety disorders and substance abuse. I have seen the benefits over the years I’ve been teaching conscious breathing and meditation to clients and students to include the above along with: irritability, digestive disorders, pain management during labor, low self-worth and more. I even suggest it as a tool to work with weight reduction!
FREE GIFT Ten Minute Break MP3
Here’s a simple exercise for you to try. Find a comfortable, relaxed place to sit. Keep your back straight and if you are in a chair, uncross your legs and place your feet flat on the floor. Pay attention to your breath. You don’t have to do anything, just become aware of breathing in and out. You are not trying to do anything with your breath; you have quite simply just switched to observing it. There is no right or wrong way to breathe, so relax and breathe. And, as you watch your breath, you will begin to notice that it naturally slows down and you start to feel calmer, more peaceful. As you relax and your breath deepens you will notice that your body starts to relax too. You may notice your shoulders dropping away from your ears and your tummy becomes softer as the breath goes deeper into your lungs. Close your eyes now and simply breathe for a while. If that was difficult or you’d like to RELAX for a little longer just click on the word ‘breathe’ for a FREE GIFT from me to help you. Breathe!
Breathe and stop stress on steroids.
