Need a simple strategy to become more aware RIGHT NOW?
If you struggle with road rage (I often find my ugliest self comes out on the road- what is up with people who pull out without looking?!); feeling like your brain is going to jump out of your skull with racing thoughts; never feeling like you can get ahead with your 10-mile long to-do list; and irritated at the slightest of situations, try this:
When you recognize you’re acting like a crazed person or you notice you’re trying to avoid what’s right in front of you (distracted, eating when you aren’t hungry, for example):
Say to yourself STOP
S: stop and recognize where you’re at and what you’re doing
T: Take a breath…two…even three, big deep ones
O: Observe what’s happening for you in the moment (IN YOUR BODY)…is there tension? Where?
P: Practice responding in a way that’s congruent and matches your goals.
Your breathing is always with you. Use it to your advantage. Tune into how one big, deep breath changes your physiology and how the tension dissipates. When you are better able to be with your breath, you are more internally aware.
Try doing this a few times a day.
SO true. The phrase “just breathe” is so overused it loses its meaning. I tell my yoga classes all the time- next time you are about to knock out the guy bumping into you on the subway, notice your breath. Shallow, quick… if we take the time to fillllll our lungs up, become present in our body, slow the racing (vile!) thoughts, what a difference it makes in our regular daily activities and quality of life. Thanks for the reminder Kori!
You are an awesome instructor I bet, Kristin. I’d love to be in your classes. When we neglect the body we will never be fully in tune with the mind.
Can you change to my new email address? shellykimsloan@gmail.com Thanks!!!
Sent from my Shelly’s iPad
Hi Shelley! You can manage your subscription and change it. I dont send the posts out manually. Un subscribe from this one and add the new. Glad you’re reading!
It works! Thank you!