This week’s Mental Sunshine tip is something you can do just about anywhere,
Hopefully, it will make a difference both in the moment and over the longer term.
It’s a breathing exercise which is designed to get your body into the “rest and digest” state (and out of “fight or flight” where so many of us spend so much time these days)
Here’s what to do:
First, empty your lungs
Then, breathe in for a count of five
Hold it for a count of two
Then breathe out for a count of seven.
Do that a few times in a row, and you should start to feel your whole body just chilling out a bit.
This is a useful thing to do if you find yourself stressed in the middle of the day
But also if you want to wind down at the end of the day
I do this when I jump into my cold tub every morning.
Over time, if you do it regularly, your body will get used to transitioning to a more restful state.
I’m not saying you’ll definitely turn into the most chilled out, Zen person any of your friends has ever met…
But I’m not saying that won’t happen either!
Seriously though: it’s another of those free, simple things you can try out –
It might just improve your day
So why not give it a go!
What’s the best that can happen…
At worst, someone gives you a funny look in the office or the supermarket queue
But you’ll be so chilled out, you won’t care!