Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you cannot think straight, your chest is tight, and palms are sweaty? As long as you are not having a severe health issue, then stop and breathe. If your brain and body are too overwhelmed, they cannot help you reach your peak performance. Having a calm, clear mind is vital for all decision-making moments. At work, this could mean the difference between forming new partnerships, closing a deal, and getting a promotion. Thinking clearly is key to success.
Stop and Breathe
Try these 5 steps of focused breathing to help to restore balance to the body, supporting a healthy flow into the senses, emotions, and mind.
1. Stop. Yes, this means stop your body, mouth, thoughts, and actions. Just stop. Do not say another word or do anything else.
2. Take your left hand and gently place it over your bellybutton.
3. Slowly, breathe in and out making the belly raise and lower.
4. Repeat 10 times.
5. Pause in silence and stillness before choosing whether to continue breathing, to re-engage in the conversation or to move on to a different situation.
BONUS: To further enhance your breathing and results, try diffusing 2-3 drops of Breathe essential oil by DoTerra. The primary benefits of this indigenously sourced oil are to support feelings of clear airways and easy breathing, to promote a restful night’s sleep and to minimize the effects of seasonal threats. Contact Heather with questions on how to use this special essential oil.
Mindfulness Meditation
Next, after finishing the above breathing exercise, choose an appropriate meditation, such as Mindfulness Meditation. This could also be done while diffusing Breathe essential oil.
Mindfulness Meditation focuses attention on breathing to develop awareness of the present moment. This can result in measurable changes within the brain. Mindfulness Meditation is showing the potential to increase memory, learning and emotional intelligence.
In a research study involving a Massachusetts Hospital, Medical School and Germany, images from meditation show gray matter concentration in the left hippocampus. Gray matter also increased in four other brain regions. This is exciting and a big deal! So start to GROW and STRETCH your mind today with the above breathing exercise and Mindfulness Meditation.
Reach out to Heather to learn more about the items in this article.
Stop and Breathe
