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Breathe through a crisis
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Seems every day there is a crisis. Remember to breathe.
Our economy is in flux. People are getting laid off from their work. A new strain of flu has hit the area. How can we stay calm amongst all this angst? BREATHE. Sounds simple but by paying attention to your breath, you can change the way you feel and how you see the world.
Our emotions include our entire nervous system. When we are in a “fight or flight” mode, our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is on. Blood pressure increases, the heart beats faster, digestion slows down. When our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is active, our bodies are geared toward energy conservation and refueling. It stimulates our digestion, and blood flow to the muscles is decreased. Both the SNS and the PNS must work together for optimal health. However, when a person is in crisis mode on an ongoing basis, the body is off-balance which can lead to illness.
Breathing is the most important regular activity over which we have direct control. Pranayama relaxes the body and stills the mind. Evidence suggests that pranayama normalizes the SNS activity and increases the PNS tone.
Here is one simple pranayama technique you can do today:
Close your eyes. Sit or recline in a quiet place with your spine supported. Observe your breath without judgment. Listen and follow the pattern of your breath. Notice how you feel in the moment. When your mind starts to wander, acknowledge your thoughts and go back to being aware of your breath. Try to do this for about 15 minutes every day.
Remember that although there is a lot happening around you, take in only what is affecting you directly. You can feel compassion without owning everyone’s pain.
Other resources:
Breathing pattern for stress relief:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxCkQDDWzww
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