Meditation For Self Love

I thought to share with you today one of the things I do every day. I find it amazing what these actions bring into my life! I find most of my posters I share from Pinterest and have many many more! I have built quite a collection there over the past 8 years.

I am sure that you have read articles before on how our breathing can help us regulate our emotions. Breathing influences how we perceive the world, think, pay attention, remember, and feel. Our body responds to the rhythm of our breathing and when we alter our breathing, we can control the activity of our brain cells.

You’ve probably noticed how hard it is to talk your way out of intense emotions like anxiety and anger, let alone traumatic situations. It doesn’t work. And that’s where breathing can make a real difference.

Research shows that different emotions are associated with distinct breathing patterns and, here’s the kicker, when you change your breathing you can change your emotions. I do it all the time and know it works!

I have learned that slowing the rhythm of your breath—especially your exhales—can initiate relaxation. It calms your heart rate and stimulates the vagus nerve, which runs from the brainstem to the abdomen and is part of the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system). You start to calm down. You feel better. And your ability to reason returns.

The next time you are stressed, or anger or depressed even, close your eyes, take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Do it as many times as you need until you feel yourself getting calmer. You can repeat the words above, or whatever you feel you need until you calm down.

Once you do this a few times, it becomes more natural and over time, it becomes a habit. Now, whenever I feel I am getting stressed, I automatically take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

It has become such a habit for me, my hubby thought I was sighing all the time until I explained to him what I was doing… lol Now, he doesn’t question me about the deep breathes he hears me take throughout the day, he knows what I am doing and he sees for himself how it is working for me.

I am short on time today, it is going to be a beautiful day and I want to go out and enjoy it. I am hoping to get Downtown and the Harbourfront, sit by the water and take in the sounds and smells. We will see… I don’t have any plans, just to go outside and enjoy what the day brings me.

I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow morning, really early, so I will post when I return. I still plan on roaming the hospital before I leave to alleviate my fears about staying there overnight next week, so we will see how that goes, though I don’t expect any issues. I have had a lot of time to think about it and prepare myself. Such is the life of living with anxiety! I am well prepared for my procedure next Monday.

I hope wherever you are, that you have a glorious day and enjoy whatever it brings you!