Breathing Room
We take a breath in and out 22,000 times a day.
Earlier I discussed how we unintentionally hold our breath throughout the day. But now let's take this moment to remind ourselves of the power in deeper, intentional breathing.
When we focus on our breathing and make space for it during our hectic days, we allow our bodies to recalibrate, to center, to expand/contract. Mostly, we allow our bodies to adapt to the changing environments rhythms.
There are a few breathing exercises that you can try without the need of a paper bag. These practices are often best applied in a quiet, undisturbed space. Many would call this meditative but I think of it differently. I think of it as expansion. Expansion of mind. Expansion of motivation. Expansion of capacity--physically and creatively.
I recently completed a breathwork workshop that truly brought clarity to much of the muddled mentality I had recently created for myself. These breathwork exercises brought me into a greater state of gratitude and resiliency--
Setup Your Space For Breathwork:
Locate a space where you will be undisturbed and not distracted.
Sit on the floor with a pillow under your tailbone to slightly raise you above knee level.
Sit with a straight back, not rounded. You can either cross your legs or leave them straight. Ensure your body posture is not tense and not creating discomfort.
Place your hands face-up on your legs or knees. Arms remain to your sides. Ensure arms are relaxed and not tense.
Optional: Place a blanket over your lap. Listen to soft, gentle sounds.
Technique One: 4-4-4
Breathe in through your nose for four seconds as deep as you can. Hold your breathe for four seconds. Exhale through your mouth for four seconds. Repeat 5 times.
Technique Two: 4-4-8
Breathe in through your nose for four seconds as deep as you can. Hold your breathe for four seconds. Exhale through your mouth for eight seconds. Repeat 5 times.
Technique Three: 4-8-8
Breathe in through your nose for four seconds as deep as you can. Hold your breath for eight seconds. Exhale through your mouth for eight seconds. Repeat 5 times.
Be sure you maintain a consistent cadence and metronome with the tempo. You can repeat this for however long suits your breathability. Typically, the time averages 5-10 minutes. Do not ever strain or push yourself to a place of medical attention. Listen to your body. Listen to your senses. Stop when you experience discomfort. You can control your outcomes here.
In life like in business, we can apply the saying of "breathing through it" to a literal sense by reminding ourselves that even if we cannot control our environments or markets, we can control how our bodies react and adapt to them.
I hope you find your breath of fresh air.