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 discouraging news stories on TV and the internet? Are you anxious about family members going through tough times?
I was a bit stressed last week when the agency that is providing my brother, who is wheelchair bound, with help for cleaning and grocery shopping called to say that they currently didn’t have enough staff to send anyone. They are trying to find someone else, but it isn’t easy.
So much of the world has changed in the last couple of years and it’s very frustrating at times. Why are so many businesses so short staffed?
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. I meditated a little extra last week. In fact, I have been meditating more for the last few months! Meditation usually brings me back to the present moment and my 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. In my Yoga classes we all do the same.
If you would like to learn to meditate, or you know anyone who would benefit from meditation, here’s an idea that you might like:
I am establishing a walking meditation group in Western Massachusetts!
My idea is that we would meet weekly at one of the many wonderful hiking/walking paths in the area, hike to a spot where I would lead a meditation for 20-30 minutes, maybe have a snack, and then walk back to the parking lot.
If this sounds interesting to you, please respond to this email and when I get enough people, we’ll start!
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
