In today’s mega-stress society, it’s difficult to take a 30 minute break during your workday to meditate, take a walk in nature, or engage in other meaningful activities that experts tell us are de-stressors. Here’s a suggestion you can do multiple times throughout your day.
Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, expanding your belly as you inhale. Hold the breath for a few seconds and then exhale completely. Repeat another three times, for a total of four deep breaths. Take suitable time between the breaths so that you’re not hyperventilating.
While you breathe in and out, simply focus your attention on the act of breathing. If thoughts of work or other issues cross your mind, don’t get frustrated; merely return your attention back to the breath.
This simple strategy activates your parasympathetic nervous system. This helps cool the stress hormones that may be raging through your body. While not a substitute for meditation, exercise or other more involved stress busters, the one minute relaxation break can help you escape the cycle of constant stress under which we all find ourselves.