five deep breaths

here . photo by liz

Sometimes when I move through the day and notice the stress beginning to stack up inside me, I honestly want to almost roll my eyes at the thought of trying to find my "om" in the midst of all of it. 

My hope for myself though is that the wiser side of me gently pushes me to practice some self-care first aid when I'm having "one of those days."

My quickest self-care first-aid is often simply taking three to five deep breaths. Here's what I do:

If I can, I walk outside. If that isn't possible, I pause wherever I am. I lengthen my spine on my next inhale (whether I am standing or sitting) and drop my shoulders away from my ears as I exhale. I close my eyes, and then I relax the muscles in my face (sometimes this means literally relaxing my forehead, eyebrows, muscles around my eyes, cheekbones, ears, jaw, neck. This usually takes just a couple of seconds, but you could spend a minute or two.

Next I begin to notice my breathing and count five deep breaths. On the inhales, I focus on creating as much space as possible from my belly to my chest; on the exhales, I focus on keeping an awareness of that created space.

Then I come back to this moment and move from this new space.

An invitation: Over the next few days, try it a few times. Notice what happens. Come back and tell us about your experience. Maybe even share what type of first aid self-care you practice in the midst of "one of those days."

Sending you blessings and light,
Liz