QUICK HACK BACK TO BLISS

A quick hack back to bliss.

We are all trying to find the new normal in these changing times. This quest can be very stressful.... the overwhelming amount of uncertainty can make us accumulate a lot of tension in our minds and bodies. One thing we can be certain of is that we have the never-ending ability to create our future as we prefer it. Taking the time to restore our perspective to one of optimism is a great place to start. Here is a little hack to get back to bliss anytime, anywhere. You do not need candles, wine, yoga matts or dim lights, just a few free minutes.

Do ever notice you are holding or shortening your breath? You may not even know you are doing it! Here is a handy quick practice that can make a difference the moment you realize you are feeling tension. When we hold our breath, it is an unconscious survival tactic to become less visible to forces of danger. Some examples of this would be if a person were being followed by someone in a dark alley or dreading an upcoming uncomfortable conversation with their boss. As our fear multiplies our breath gets shallower and our heart rate rises with the onset of the hormones of stress. We can learn a thing or two from horses about how to quickly process fear and get right back to living productively. When a horse senses danger they pop their heads up, take in a big breath, and run from the perceived danger. Their brilliant survival systems are hardwired to produce adrenaline when their heads raise above the base of their neck. This hormone gives them extra power to escape from whatever is scaring them. Once the perceived danger is passed, they drop their heads let out a big breath and go back to eating. Have you ever heard a horse actively blowing air out of their lungs? (like a person blowing their nose) This action of letting out the breath and dropping the head that elicits endorphins to undo the effects of adrenaline. This chemical reaction is crucial to the survival of their species. We do a similar dance using hormones to get us through times of stress. Unfortunately, we as predators are not as good at unconsciously getting back to the relaxed state. Our systems can produce stress hormones at the thought of something scary. Without even realizing it we can become addicted to the boost of energy we get from the cocktail of cortisol and adrenaline our brains produce. Just like any external stimulant, this reoccurring chemical reaction can do a lot of damage to our bodies. (not to mention our perspectives on life!!!)

Just like for horses, the simplest way to reset our minds and bodies is with our breath. The exercise called “Box breath” takes only a minute or two and it is remarkably effective. Imagine a box a shape, with four equal sides. You can decide how many counts you want each side to have. Pick a rhythm that is doable for you, for example a count of four breathing in, hold for a count of four, breathe out for a count four, and remain empty for a count of four. If you really want to be proactive you can add a positive intention on the in breath and release negative thoughts on the out breath. It is not necessary but can add greatly to the activities ability to reset your mood. Do at least three rounds and see if you feel better!!! Our breath is a powerful rhythmic force in our lives, discovering its healing properties is a great tool. It is available to us on demand, for free, whenever we take a few minutes to call upon it!