2020 is certainly proving to be a stressful year. While stress can’t be completely avoided, it can be managed. Today is Stress Awareness Day, so it’s a great time to focus on a few stress management skills to stop yourself from dwelling on the negative so you can face stressors with a renewed sense of calm energy. Here are our tips.
Focus on Your Breath
Take a long, slow inhale and fill your lungs with air. Focus on inhaling that air into your low belly and allow it to fill upward through your torso and chest. Simply slowing your breath can create calming and relaxing feelings. Exhale slowly, breathe out, and start again.
Practice Mindfulness
While you continue with slow breathing, focus on the sensations in your body. Are you cold, warm, feeling any pressure? These feelings shouldn’t be associated with positive or negative feelings. Simply recognize the sensations. For example, be aware of the tightness you may be feeling in your shoulders or neck. It may not necessarily be a bad feeling, just one you haven’t been mindful of before.
You might notice several sensations at once or you may just notice your butt sitting in a chair. This step can be done in one full inhalation and exhalation, or you can sit with it as long as you need.
Bring Your Attention Back to Your Breath
Return your focus back to your breathing pattern. Pay attention to how the air fills your lungs as you breathe in and of it leaving your lungs and body as you breathe out. Practice this technique for a few breaths until you feel present in the moment.
Move on From the Moment
When you take the time to quickly and calmly pause what is stressing you out, you will be better equipped to re-engage with the world around you with a new sense of calmness and focus. Try to maintain that feeling of being grounded that you’ve created. If you find your stress returning, start again from the top.
For more tips to help manage stress, click here to contact one of our chiropractic coaches. ChiroDestiny is designed to help you improve both personally and professionally and it is time to take action!