How are you feeling this week? Are you getting outside and enjoying any nice weather that comes your way? Are you tired of listening to the bad news stories on TV and the internet? Are you anxious about all the businesses that don’t have enough staff to stay open? Want some quick anxiety relief?
I was annoyed last week when I went into my local bank and, once again, they did not have enough staff to open the lobby – even though I had an appointment to close my safe deposit box. I will try again this week. This bank isn’t even my local branch, it’s a 30 minute drive away. The local branch closed a year ago and there’s no sign of it re-opening any time soon. So much of the world has changed in the last couple of years and it’s very frustrating at times…
When things like this happen to you, or when we’re just plain fed up with the events of the past couple of years, I recommend meditation or prayer. After my frustrating experience at the bank, I meditated a little extra that day. That meditation brought me back to the present moment and my usual joyful self!
Meditation and prayer are good ways to help reduce our feelings of anxiety. Meditation is calming and relaxing and helps to reduce the stress hormones running through our bodies. Self-care is the most important thing we can do for ourselves and our families in times like these.
I pray for all those families affected by the current wars, and when I meditate, I send healing light and love to all those in need.
If you would like to learn to meditate, or you know anyone who would benefit from meditation, please check out my meditation training program. You’ll be glad that you did! Meditation is easier than you think!
If you have some anxiety about the state of things where you live, I have also included a gentle yoga pose today that opens the chest and upper back and helps regulate breathing. You don’t even need to get up from your chair to do this!
- Bring your palms together in front of your chest.
- As you inhale slowly, separate the hands and draw your elbows back as if could touch them together behind your back.
- Raise your chin slightly. When you reach the top of this stretch for you, notice how much easier it is to breathe deeply. Hold the pose and breathe deeply for two breaths, feeling this lovely stretch open your chest and upper back.
- On an exhalation bring the hands forward until the palms are together in front of the chest again.
Repeat a few more times, moving slowly, and breathing deeply. Keep your mind focused on the sensation of your breath, and the movement of the stretch. Make sure to stretch and breathe in an easy, relaxed way, to avoid strain or pain. That way you’ll be comfortable, and you’ll enjoy the exercise.
Chronic anxiety/worry creates a habit of restricting our breath to the upper chest and, most of the time, we don’t even notice that it’s happened. This leads to muscle tension in the chest, achy shoulders, stiff neck, back pain, and headaches. That’s why It’s so important to take regular breaks to breathe and stretch your back, neck, chest and shoulders.
I recommend setting an alarm and stopping once an hour to complete this short exercise. It takes only a few minutes out of your day, but the benefits are substantial.
Best of Health,
Kathi
