Victoria’s Read

One thing is certain; stressors are in each and everyone’s life. The only thing we can change is our attitude towards them and the use of known methods to decrease the effects they have on our lives and health.

Stress can be seen as a motivator; after all it is the stress of the wind in the sails of a sailboat that moves it across the water, allowing us to get from point A to point B. What I would like to suggest, is that we learn to view stress in a similar way to help us to move out of anxiety to peace. It is always wise to discuss any new approaches that you are considering implementing for your health, with your MD, or Naturopathic Dr. Before you begin this exercise, monitor yourself on a scale from 1 to 10. How stressed are you feeling? Make note of it to refer to later on.

1) Sit comfortably with your hands in your lap.
Massage your jaw muscles gently, and place your hands back in your lap.

2) Check your shoulders. Are they tense? Drop them.

3) Now focus on your breathing.
Breathe in the nose and count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4. If four is too long, modify it to your comfort level.

Feel yourself draw the breath in slowly, right in to the upper part of your lungs. The upper chest expands. Then breathe out slowly to the count of 4. Repeat this for a few minutes. Review how you are feeling based on the scale you did at the beginning. Any change? Use this scale each time you do this exercise. Be patient; give yourself time to feel the cumulative effect of daily practice.

Five minutes daily can make a difference, and the effects on the nervous system are highly beneficial when used regularly.

-Always sit a few minutes after doing these breathing exercises before you stand up.

-Always get up slowly. If you have any questions call me at Ohana Wellness Centre, 752-0294.

Jacqui Tracy, Certified Master of Breatherapy. ®