Our lives are getting busier, we are spending longer at work and we have less money to spend. No wonder we constantly feel tired and run down. Perhaps it is time to spend a little time everyday focusing on ourselves. It need only be 5 minutes and not cost any money but your health will benefit innumerably.
Start by blocking out a time-slot. Whether this is after the children have gone bed for the evening, whilst they have their afternoon nap or even before they wake, this is your special time and no-one should disturb you.
Create a relaxing atmosphere by playing soothing music, lighting candles, switching off the phone (it won’t hurt for 5 minutes). Find somewhere comfortable to sit or lay down, preferably with your spine straight. If lying flat on the floor pulls on your lower back, place a cushion underneath your knees. Close your eyes and just observe your breathing. Is it rapid and shallow or slow and deep? Do you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth? Place one hand on your chest and one on your stomach. Notice which hand raises higher with each in breath. Focus on taking deep, rhythmical breaths which raise your stomach hand higher than your chest hand. Breathe in through your nose for three counts and then breathe out through your mouth for three counts. Allow your breath to flow in and out like the tide. Spend five minutes being aware of your breath and then slowly bring yourself back to alert by opening your eyes, wiggling your toes and stretching your fingers.
Hopefully you will be feeling more relaxed already. Once you are practiced at breathing slowly and deeply you can use it should any stressful situation occur. It will help calm and ground you and you should be better able to deal with the situation.
Give this a try and let me know how you feel.
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