In this post I will offer you 6 simple strategies to feel better – no matter what is going on around you.  You will walk away with Relief, Hope, and maybe even a little JOY!

HOW TO MANAGE (MINIMIZE) YOUR STRESS AND GET OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR ANXIETY:

1. Be aware of your thoughts AND your breath – they mirror each other. Focus on your  breath.  Here's a simple way to breathe to immediately get you more relaxed (out of “fight or flight” mode)  Breathe deeply and slowly, through your nose.  Relax your jaw and shoulders.  Count slowly, in for four, hold for two, exhale to the count of six, or longer.  Do whatever feels right for you.  Just make sure your exhale is longer than your inhale.  This reduces the rate of your breathing by about 50%.  You WILL feel immediate relief! (See my other blog posts on breath work)
2. Observe your Body.  Pay attention to different sensations you're feeling in different parts of your body.  No judging or analyzing, just observe.  Every thought you have creates a sensation in your body.  Get in the habit of always being aware of what's going on “inside of  you.”
3. Observe your thoughts.  What stories are you telling yourself?  Again, don't judge, just observe.  Ask yourself, “Is this really true?”  “Am I being kind to myself right now?”  Is this thought possibly stemming from an old belief that is no longer serving me well?
4. Visualize.  Think of a more empowering thought and visualize yourself in a new situation, maybe even with a smile on your face.  Set a new intention as to how you want this stressful situation to look and feel.  Visualize the best scenario  possible for yourself.  Setting a new intention will bring you more of what it is you're  wanting.  Remember, “Energy flows where focus goes.”  And everything is energy!  Setting this new intention will also influence your choices and behaviors throughout your day.
5. Stay grounded in the present moment.  You cannot predict the future.  The past is now behind you.  Your power lies in the “here” and “now.”  One of my favorite mantras goes like this:  “I have everything I need, right in front of me.”
6. Remain grateful.  No matter what.  There is always something to be grateful for. Sending that positive energy out into the Universe gets amplified and brings back to you more things to be grateful for.  This will help you calm down and get  back to your center.  This elicits a healing response and enhances your immune system.

Stress is real, anxiety is real, depression is real, but you can implement some strategies to set you on a more joyful path.  Remember, “You hold the power.” 

It happens to all of us, we're living our best life and doing just fine (so we think) when all of a sudden, we realize we've been adding too many “tasks” to our daily routine and suddenly we feel overwhelmed.  We realize we haven't been doing so well in the self-care arena, yikes!  In this post I will cover four simple and highly effective things you can do to get yourself back on track.
 
IDENTIFY YOUR “ANCHOR”:  We all have different things that anchor us and keep us centered when we're under extra stress.  For some it might be a daily workout, for others it might be getting out in nature every day, eating specific foods, proper hydration etc.

For me it's my morning ritual (meditation, yoga, journal, breath work, conversation with the Divine and setting my intentions for the day). The point here is to know what your “Anchor” is and even in the busiest, most stressful times, do not let yourself stray from this.
 
IDENTIFY YOUR ENERGY DRAINS:  Know who and what depletes you (foods, too much social media, too much computer time, certain people, focusing on what's wrong rather than what's going well in your life, lamenting over the past or worrying ahead to the future, and the list goes on) I think you get my drift.  Take a few minutes right now to write down those people and things that drain your energy and then commit to setting boundaries around these.  Find a friend or colleague to hold you accountable and who will offer moral support until this becomes second nature to you.
 
Two of the biggest energy drains of all (in my humble opinion):

1. The pace we keep as we race through our day.
2. Accumulating things we think we need and then trying to keep track of and/or

care for them.
 
SCHEDULE TIME TO HAVE NOTHING SCHEDULED: I cannot stress this enough. Call it quiet time, meditation, or contemplation.  All of the great masters made a point to sit quietly for a period of time each day where they were not working, socializing, walking, or thinking. Just sitting in quiet stillness and reflection.
 
MAKE TIME TO PLAY:  Simply put, we need to schedule one day off every week. On this day have nothing scheduled, just let things flow.  No work.  No errands.  Stay away from electronics and all things that keep us “hyped” up or stimulated.  This is your time to regenerate, to play, to explore, to be in nature, to just “be.”
 
Remember, we are already enough, we already have enough.  We've got everything we need, right in front of us, if we just slow down and observe and “listen” to the quiet stillness that speaks to us ever so softly.  I encourage you to do it right now. 

Just STOP.

LISTEN. 

Our answers are inside each one of us, but we won't hear that all knowing ever present voice inside if we don't become still and “listen.”

As we continue to explore why more and more people are shallow breathing right now,
or breathing in that “fight or flight” mode – we want to discover the different types of breathing that will assist during your different emotional states throughout the day.  

We already know that improper breathing over time wreaks havoc on our health - both emotionally and physically. In my previous two posts I covered why breath work is so important and you were introduced to “Neutral Breathing.” 

Today we will cover the “GROUNDING BREATH”:  This breath is mainly used to help you fall asleep, OR get back to sleep.  Sometimes it might be needed during the day if someone has really “pushed all your buttons” and you can't talk yourself down, but please use it mindfully and sparingly in that case.

Basics to remember prior to doing any breathing exercises:

• Sit upright in a chair with your spine straight, OR lie down on a flat surface with your knees bent (or not if you're going to sleep for the night).
• Relax your body: Your shoulders, your jawline, your neck. 
• Place one or both hands on your lower belly. 
• Close your eyes.

HOW TO:

GROUNDING BREATH:  Breathe in through your nose and out through your nose.  Inhale to a count of four, but exhale to a count of eight.  After ten rounds your heart rate and blood pressure should drop as you stimulate your parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system.

For all of you who are dealing with increased anxiety, insomnia, or just can't shut your brain off at night, I hope you'll give this a try and let me know how it goes!  I use this breath often when I wake up at night – it works!

Did you know right now a lot of people are breathing in a "fight or flight mode?"
All. Day. Long. This mode is also known as “shallow breathing.” This pattern of breathing occurs throughout most of our work day and we're not even aware of it! Over time this will wreak havoc on our overall state of health.

Did you know that proper breathing can decrease your heart rate, lower cortisol levels, boost digestion, change the pH of your blood, and help with your quality of sleep at night?

In a previous post I covered why breath work is so important.  In this post I'd like to introduce you to one (out of three) specific types of breathing that will help you in different types of situations throughout your day.  Let's get started with the first one that we will call “Neutral Breathing.”  (The next two types will be covered in my next two posts)

Basics to remember prior to doing any breathing exercises.

Sit upright in a chair with your spine straight, OR lie down on the floor with your knees bent. Relax your body:  Your shoulders, your jawline, your neck. Place one or both hands on your lower belly.  Close your eyes.

HOW TO:

NEUTRAL BREATHING can be your “go to” practice, it's always a good option any time you
need balance.  Inhale through your nose and exhale through your nose.  Inhale to the count of
four and exhale to the count of four. Slow and steady. Repeat this 10 times or more.

This count is half your normal rate of breathing.  Let your belly and lungs really fill up and
bulge out like a balloon, making sure not to lift your shoulders. They should remain in a neutral
position for the most part. IF you're feeling down, this neutral breath will bring you back up. IF you're feeling a bit too hyped, this breath will help bring you back down.

Please give this a try and let me know how you feel!  It is my “go to” breath now.  All. Day. Long.