Christmas.
A time of festivity.
It's also a time of pressure and complexity.
Temperatures are going up and down, children are tired and weary, social calendars are crazy-full, and work pressures can be steadily present right till the end.
Topping it off, difficult relationships can become even more difficult due to the heightened expectations of the season.
To counteract this, in the midst of all this, carve out space.
Space just for us.
It can be as simple as sitting comfortably in a straight-backed chair. Plant both feet solidly on the ground, about hip-space apart. Now. Exhale. Exhale fully and deeply.
This is a very effective way to change our breathing into the deep, whole body breathing that brings relaxation. Breathing in will take care of itself.
Sit with this deep, full and rhythmic breathing for at least 17 full cycles. At this point, our systems will switch into our parasympathetic system, which slows the heart rate and activates tranquil functions such as "rest-and-digest".
So, how about carving out rest for our Self?
Even right now.
Did we feel a difference as our body rolled over into a different mode of breathing?
Arohanui
Contact me: Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor in Howick, Auckland 0221 874 057, through the contact section http://lorrainedodd.wix.com/lorraine-dodd by email nurturinghope@gmail.com or Private Message me through Facebook
