"Take a deep breath." That's how I used to calm my children when they were crying, frustrated, angry or afraid. It's amazing how the simple act of pausing enough to take 1-3 deep-gut breaths can instantly impact your mood, and bring rest into a chaotic situation.
This month I'm offering a free webinar for beginner meditation (June 13, info below) and while preparing for this I realized that my meditation practice really began long ago when I needed to breathe during crisis. We all breathe - and we've been doing it our whole lives and we are really good at it! But learning how to control my breath and use certain breathing techniques during stress was enhanced last year when I began to make daily meditation a habit.
In July 2023 I had just been let go from my last corporate position when I choose this practice. I made the decision for my own sanity and mental health, not with any goals of finding nirvana or learning Buddhism, doing more yoga or any other purpose. What I have discovered in the last year is that when the mind is at rest we are more open to suggestion, increased creativity and mental clarity. Controlling our breath is the first step toward a solid meditation practice. It is also a great way to find a bit more rest for your heart and your head.
If you need more rest in your life (not sleep, but mental and physical rest) I highly encourage you to try to breathe deeper and more often. Here is a simple technique I learned, and one that I'll include in my webinar coming up, is 4-2-6:
Breathe in through your nose a 4 count
Hold your breath a 2-count
Exhale out the mouth a 6-count
This simple technique immediately triggers your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and instantly bring calm. If you are highly stressed you may need to repeat this a few times.
Whether you need stress relief, a pause in your anxiety, slowing down your heart rate, more calm in heavy traffic or nervousness sitting in the dentist chair - try 4-2-6 and see if it helps! I know it can work for you like it has for me in each of these examples.
If you have time over the lunch hour to join my free webinar message me at kerribryant@gofrwd.org or send a chat through the website and I'll forward you the link!
Free Beginner Meditation Webinar
Thursday, June 13
11:00-12:30pm CT
Find rest this Summer, my friends. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.
Kerri
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