We are a culture of go, go, go – especially as moms. Multitasking is our middle name and we usually don’t stop until we are running on empty. Then we find ourselves tired, stressed, cranky, and hiding from our children in the pantry eating a bag of potato chips because we don’t want to share or because we haven’t taken the time to sit down and eat {just me?}. There always seems there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done. I hate to be the one to give you something else to do, but throughout your busy day pencil in ‘give yourself a breath.’
Breath is powerful. It has the ability to calm a heated situation, it gives you time to reassess the words that are about to come out of your mouth and, biggest of all, it keeps you alive. Since you’re breathing anyway, why not take a few minutes in between singing 20 verses of “The Wheels On The Bus” to make that breath really count?
Three ways to reset using breath:
For all of the techniques below, start by finding a comfortable position. You can do these just about anywhere. Try these techniques sitting in the car while the kids are strapped into their car seats, do it while you’re on the toilet (if you’re lucky enough to pee alone), or do it standing in line at the grocery store. The possibilities are endless!
Cleansing Breath
Take a deep inhale through your nose and exhale all the air out through your mouth. Allow the next breath to be even deeper and longer, and the breath after that to be your deepest and longest. Try this for three rounds, or more if you have time.
Equal Breath
Start by inhaling through your nose as you count in your head to four, and do the same as you exhale. As you breathe, continue to make your inhale and exhale equal length by counting. If the count of four seems too short, increase the number to five or six.
Breath with intention
Think of a word or phrase that makes you feel happy, calm, or empowered. Take a deep breath in through your nose and as you exhale think of that word or phrase. Continue for five to ten breaths.
At the very least, remember to take a deep breath {or a few!} once in a while!