No question it's a strange and stressful time we're living in with layer upon layer of varying challenges. We've all had to pull out our best coping mechanisms at one time or another just to keep going.
You may find yourself eating or exercising more, less, or simply differently than usual. Maybe you're craving in person interaction with other people. Or maybe you just want to shut yourself away from everyone. We're all definitely moving through our neighborhoods and our worlds in ways we're not used to - staying home more, practicing social distancing, wearing masks in public, maybe working from home or not working at all.
We're concerned about ourselves and our loved ones. We're concerned about friends and acquaintances. We're concerned for people all around the world. The list could go on and on.
Things are simply different.
"Different" brings stress to one degree or another. Regardless of whether stress is something you feel you thrive with or strive with, it's still stress. And it has mental, physical, and emotional impact.
So, what can we do?
By far, the best tool for stress management I know of is one that is effective, free, simple, accessible to everyone, and requires no special equipment or skills. What is this magical thing?
DEEP BREATHING
If you think that's too simplistic an answer, try it. If, like me, you know the power of it, remind yourself how effective it is by taking 5-10 deep breaths right now. I even have a graphic to assist you. Inhale as it expands and exhale as it gets smaller, letting your outgoing breath take your stress with it. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Do you feel differently now than you did a minute ago? I hope so.
This is my absolute favorite stress-busting practice because it has far reaching impact. A quick story to illustrate: A while ago I worked in an accounting office. Tax season is to accounting offices what the holiday season is to retail stores. Crazy busy, frantic pace, and often high tension in the workplace. By the end of each tax season I was completely spent, feeling like I had no mental or physical capacity for anything other than basic functions needed for survival.
Then I learned the practice of deep breathing before eating.
My intention was simply to get myself to slow down and get into a relaxation response for digestion's sake. I got something much more from that practice, though. By doing the one simple thing of taking at least three slow, deep breaths before I ate, I found myself feeling much more centered and calm throughout the day. Add up the sum of all those days and the result was that at the end of tax season I felt as energetic as I had at the beginning of it. I was amazed.
There's real, calming, and centering power in slowing down our lives and our brains, even if it's only for a few breaths. Will you give it a try? I promise it'll be more than worth your effort.