Day Two for Living in the moment tips; Breathe
Sounds easy enough doesn’t it? After all we all breathe every day. We take air in, and blow it out. We don’t even think about it. A couple of years ago I learned first hand just how important breathing is. Because . . .
I couldn’t. Exercise didn’t create the problem. I couldn’t breath sitting on the couch. A beautiful picture didn’t take my breath away. There was no pollen to cause breathing problems. It was after all November in Oklahoma. No, I just couldn’t breathe.
Turns out my heart was the problem. Once we got that fixed breathing resumed. Life went back to normal.
I learned how important breathing is. It’s not just when exercising, or when the heart messes up, or when pollen is in the air, that breathing is important. Taking time to breathe, really breathe is vital. Not the unconscious every day breathing we all do, but slow intentional breathing.
Taking time to breathe allows us to reconnect with ourselves. It allows us to pay attention (remember that word?) to our bodies. Breathing is easy, no special skills, no special equipment (unless you’re on oxygen of course.) It’s just you and the air around you.
You can stand up and stretch as you breathe on purpose, or sit in a chair. It doesn’t matter. Breathing is the important thing here.
Ready? Take a deep breath in. Hold it for five or six seconds. Now exhale (let the air out) slowly. Feel calmer? Try it again. Start and end your day with two or three deep breaths.
You don’t have to wait until you’re at home to practice breathing. Stuck in traffic? Take a moment to breathe. Line at the store backed up to the aisles? Breathe and relax.
You’ll find you’re more aware of your surroundings, at least while you’re breathing, you’ll feel healthier, happier, and more relaxed. Enjoy the moment.
How often do you take time to breathe?
Do you stretch when you breathe?
Have you tried breathing when you’re stressed?
This post is joining the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
