Midweek Tweak

You're doing it again, and you never really stop for long:  breathing.  Respiration is one of the involuntary functions of the body that keeps us alive.  Mindful breathing, however, has us focus on the form and flow in the present moment.  It's often a part of meditative practice, and it's proven useful to me as a War Veteran with PTSD.  It helps alleviate pain, ameliorate anxiety, and attune oneself to a more calm and collected state of being.

Guess what:  most of us have been breathing "wrong" most of our lives.

Posture and pauses help re-train those who do them to breathe in more effective ways.  The modern condition of seated positions taking up hours of our days has made the situation worse.  We were meant for movement, and sitting - especially when that includes a slouched or forward head position - creates a toxic impact on internal organs, hinders digestion and elimination, and generally makes us more tired as a result.

A common stress or pain response is to hold the breath.  This is hardwired into our psyche for reasons that make sense, but we seem stimulated so incessantly that this response gets triggered (or fails to subside) at increasing rates.  Intentional inhales through the nostrils that inflate the lungs fully (this means your diaphragm is going to push your tummy region out a bit to afford lung capacity - that's its job) brings oxygen to enrich our blood, fortifying us on a truly cellular level.  Exhales out the mouth with a relaxed face (as opposed to pursed lips) to the point that you "push" out all you're able of the now-utilized and needing-replaced air continues this cycle.  That in-nostril, out-mouth form of breathing is basic and tells your sympathetic nervous system that you're okay and you can handle anything you're facing in that moment.

There are many techniques of mindful breathing, and we can certainly explore them in the future, but this Midweek Tweak is a simple start:  pay attention to your breath.  When you find that you are holding your breath or that your breathing is shallow - or if you simply need a bit more energy - blow out all the old air as if you were pushing an accordion closed.  Next, pause a milisecond and then allow your next exhale to come entirely through your nose, seeking to inflate your lungs as deeply as you can.  Then, pause a moment and repeat.  Once this is easy for you to do, you can move on to this level:  4-7-8 Breath and others like it.

Jotting with Johnna
Ever catch yourself holding your breath?  Need a natural stress reliever that doubles as a health restorer?  When you notice you are not breathing naturally, jot down what's going on around and within you.  You may find that you can engineer your environment, alter your posture, or revise your schedule to promote a happier lifestyle.

Remember:  you are so very worthy of the daily rituals like mindful breathing, hydration, stretching, and other simple means of modification to ensure your healthiest self.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.