Monday Motivation: Try This Deep Breathing Exercise

Monday Motivation: Try This Deep Breathing Exercise

Research has shown that slowing your breathing lowers levels of anxiety, calming your brain & enabling you to deal with challenges more effectively & efficiently.  Taking slow, deep breaths can also help you notice & enjoy the moment you’re in & give you a nice mental break.  
There are so many different apps out there for breathing (Calm, Headspace, the Mindfulness app, even Apple Watches have a feature that encourages deep breaths!  Neat, right?), but if you’d like something to try right now, give this a shot:

Count to 4 as you breathe in.

Hold for 4 counts

Breathe out for 4 counts.

Hold for 4 counts. 

Repeat 4 or more times.  

Breathe in through your nose & out through your mouth.

Let your belly expand. 

Relax your body as you breathe.

Congrats!  You’ve done your first deep breathing exercise.  If you’d like to kick it up a notch, try an app & try turning down the lights, sitting in a quiet, comfortable spot & really getting your zen on.  🙂