Ah, stress. It can feel like a constant companion, can’t it? Although stress can show up anywhere at any time, for some people, the holiday season can amplify the feeling.
The truth is though, you don’t have to live with stress. Feeling stressed or anxious is really a choice and you can choose to feel peaceful and serene. Since there are no shortage of statistics that stress can cause everything from health problems to premature aging, opting to bypass this particular emotion and choosing to joyfully accept that everything is as it should be can be incredibly empowering.
A quick way to alleviate stress is conscious breathing. One of the best things about this is that you can do it anywhere effectively if you put your mind to it. Whether alone, in a crowd, for two minutes or twenty, becoming aware of your breathing and doing some breath work will give you a shot of sanity back into your day.
The next time you’re feeling stressed, take a moment to consciously inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Even doing this once should make a difference. Do this a few times, envisioning a sense of well-being in the process. You’ll find that you immediately feel a new sense of calm.
