Good easy ways to de stress

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Body and mind are connected. They communicate with each other and affect each others behaviour.

Often we are unaware of this exchange of messages, but when we are, we can use it to our advantage.

Tension in shoulders

A good example of this can be found in what we do in our shoulder area.  is By tensing shoulders, we communicate to our brain the following messages: ‘Be alert – danger is luring – we might be attacked – we need to be ready to fight – we need to be ready to flight – something bad and dangerous can happen any minute now – keep it together – don’t relax.’ In response to these message our brain produces adrenaline and cortisol (branded as stress enemy number one), which means we are in a heightened state of alertness and stress. Cortisol has a very negative impact on metabolism, blood pressure and more.

The sad fact is that we produce cortisol through tension we hold in our shoulders, which has nothing to do with immediate danger, but everything with habitual behaviour.

To break the cycle, I have designed the following exercise, called SMS – Soften My Shoulders. It takes only a few seconds and it will have a lasting impact on your stress levels. It is best to SMS regularly and I suggest you put post-it notes at several places, to remind yourself of doing SMS. The great thing is that SMS does not reveal anything to anybody as it could refer to sending a txt message, isn’t it?

Good easy ways to de stress: Soften My Shoulders – De-stressing exercise

good easy ways to de stressThe steps:

  1. Pause, focus on your breathing and take in a relaxed slow breath
  2. Focus on your shoulders and just notice the tension, don’t do anything, just notice
  3. When you next breathe out, imagine that some of the tension in your shoulders leaves on the flow of your outbreath. Don’t move your shoulders, just let the process of breathing and focussing taking care of the events
  4. Observe and then notice how your shoulders become a bit softer
  5. Repeat this 3 times
  6. Notice your mind and how much more relaxed you are!

If you want to receive more tips, click here to subscribe:
Click here to receive tips like these in your inbox 

 

>