Small Things To Change Your Life: Task #1

Hello all!

Today I'm here to talk to you about the simplest but one of the most important things one can do to make their life shine just a little bit brighter.

BREATHE.

It's as simple as that. Obviously, you already do breathe around 28,800 times a day but I mean really breathe. As someone who struggles with sleep problems and is a huge worrier, concentrating on my breathing as become a big thing in my life. It's subtle and silent. Nobody has to know that you're doing it. That's the beauty of it. It's not attention grabbing or embarrassing. It is simply breathing in and out.

When I'm stressed out or upset I normally clean or tidy up. It's an odd habit but it helps me to calm down so there we go. But obviously, if my room is already tidy or if I'm out in public I don't anything to organise. So breathing is my go to. In through the nose; out through the mouth. You all know how it goes. Below are four different techniques you can do for circumstances of stress, anxiety or the general for relaxation.

7/11

In for seven, out for eleven. An easy-peasy one that I normally try to do for around two minutes if I can. You can also vary the speed depending on your circumstance, but try and keep it as slow as possible without feeling dramatically out of breathe in between. 

300 Backwards

A more time-consuming one that is I would go to if I'm desperate for sleep. Start counting backwards from 300, breathing in at '299' and out for '298' and so on. This requires a lot of concentration and is generally quite relaxing. Also don't worry if your mind wanders whilst doing this: once you realise that you've stopped concentrating on your breathing, just bring your breathing back into the rhythm and start from the last number you remember thinking. 

Balloon Breathe

This is my favourite and one I've been using for many years now. Start breathing in through your nose and allow your tummy to expand like a balloon. When you breathe back out, let you tummy drop and make an effort to push slightly more air out than comes out naturally. This is a breathing technique used in yoga and is very relaxing. 

Figure of 8

This one is slightly more unusual but it works well for me. With the edge of a duvet or blanket/rug or even the tip of your pinky, begin moving this around the edge of your nostrils, coming up in the middle. Breathe in whilst going down and out whilst going up (or the other way if that feel uncomfortable to you). Again, you can vary the speed but a slow and steady speed is best. Also don't apply too much pressure to your nose otherwise that'll be very uncomfortable!

"Feeling come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor."  - Thích Nhất Hạnh

I hope this might help some of you and I hope you all have a fabulous Sunday!

xxxx

Maddy