make time to breath! 11.6.20

 Dear Students, 

It's been a week. Okay, okay - it's been a year. But this week! We are feeling SO many things. Some of us have been missing sleep, holding our breath, feeling on edge, avoiding talking to family members with whom we disagree, feeling unfocused, checking our phones way too often. We're feeling generally worried and apprehensive about how this national turmoil will turn out in the days ahead.

Oh yeah, and there's tons of schoolwork to do, too.

But no matter how stressed you are, or how much you have to do, there is always time for a three minute breathing break. Taking deep, restorative inhales and releasing cleansing, grounding exhales slows down our nervous system. It helps us feel more present in our bodies and allows our tense muscles to relax. Deep breathing can decrease our heart rate and blood pressure, calm our worried thoughts, and shift our mood. 

Try this exercise when you need to feel a sense of calm:

Sit down in a comfortable upright position, or lie down on your back. If you're lying down, you might like to put a pillow under your bent knees for support, as well as under your head. 

Place your left hand on your heart, and your right hand on your belly, beneath your ribcage.

Inhale deeply, imagining sending the air down into your belly, and feel your stomach pressing into your hand as you expand with the breath.

Hold it for a moment, then release a slow, smooth exhale, feeling all the air move out of your body, and your hand settle closer to your body. 

Repeat as many times as you like. Imagine releasing tension and worry with each exhale. Whether you try this for one minute or twenty, you will notice a peaceful shift in your energy and mood. 

Hang in there, everyone. We're here if you want to talk.

Warmly, 

Lauren, Susan, Katharina, Meagan, Alexis, Kelly and Gene