Just Breathe

How many times a day do you stop and focus on your breath? How much space between calls at work do you gift yourself so you can be centered and clear of mind clutter before moving on? How much time do you gift yourself to just be?  Like most, you’re not alone. And in our busy world of back-to-back calls and non-stop ‘gotta get stuff done’, or I don’t deserve to take a break, it’s understandable why you may not stop to exercise self-care. 

But how is it serving you? How exhausted are you at the end of the day or how does your non-stop lifestyle impact your relationships?

According to a study published by the Harvard Business Review, “While sustainable job performance requires us to thrive at work, only 32% of employees across the globe say they’re thriving. With 43% reporting high levels of daily stress, it’s no surprise that a wealth of employees feel like they’re on the edge of burnout, with some reports suggesting that up to 61% of U.S. professionals feel like they’re burning out at any moment in time.”

The results of a high stress lifestyle can have a severe impact on your physical and mental health. While adrenaline can trick you into thinking ‘you’ve got this’ the reality is, it’s not sustainable.

What can you do?

First, it starts with self-awareness. Taking inventory of your attitude and energy during these high stress periods of time. What should you take inventory of?

1.      My calendar is too full!

2.      Your manager's energy

3.      Troubled relationships outside of work

4.      Rest (are you sleeping enough)

5.      Nourishment (did eat enough/well, drink enough water, too much caffeine)

6.      Exercise

7.      What attitudinal response am I getting from others (could be a reflection of your attitude)

These are just a few, but a good start! As you become more aware, your commitment to change in your life increases. You can then begin an action plan to addressing each one with a plan that serves you best.

And while your thinking about the best approach to tackling each of your stressors either yourself or with a coach, remember there’s one thing you can do immediately, just breathe! Here’s why:

• It helps you relax, lowering the harmful effects of the stress hormone cortisol on your body.
• It lowers your heart rate.
• It helps lower you lower your blood pressure.
• It helps you cope with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• It improves your core muscle stability.
• It improves your body’s ability to tolerate intense exercise.
• It lowers your chances of injuring or wearing out your muscles.
• It slows your rate of breathing so that it expends less energy.

Take the challenge!

• Make sure you’ve added spaces in your calendar to breathe and center
• Sit in a quiet space
• Close your eyes
• Relax your facial muscles, your arms down to your legs
• Take a deep breath, in through your nose (experience your chest rising), holding on the inhale for 2 seconds
• Breathe out through your mouth slowly, intentionally
• Repeat 2 more times

How do you feel? Would love your thoughts on this! As always feel free to reach out to me.

Cheers!

Nina