Mental Moment-Breathing

Breathing happens voluntarily everyday. There are many benefits for using it to move through stressful situations, exhausting workouts and anxiety provoking performances. Breathing helps calm you, provides oxygen to your body, relaxes muscles and it gives you a moment to ‘change directions’.

1. Attention inward – focus on breathing.  Listen to air passage through your nose (hear it and feel it).  Gradually ignore what is going on around you.  30-50 second quiet period.
2. Breathe in through your nose three counts and out through your mouth three count.
3. Gradually come back to focusing on your regular breath and listening to your breathing, gradually be aware of your surroundings here.

When you find yourself in a moment of stress, take a deep breath. It will allow you time to move in a better direction than you would have gone had you just automatically responded.

Dr. Michelle

Photo credit: earthwaysyoga.com