nervous system snacks: 1-minute breath practice to return to presence in times of stress
“Each time we pause and replace our attention on the breath, our mind comes home to our body.”
Stressful situations will always arise in our life, and sometimes it will feel as if there’s no solid ground to support us.
That’s where our breath comes in.
Our breath is the fastest, most efficient way to draw ourselves out of that cycle of anxiety—out of that cycle of not-okayness. It doesn’t mean that it will sweep away the source of the stress. However, it will invite us into a state where we feel more grounded and centered, which heightens our ability to see what’s truly in front of us and how we can skillfully respond.
Paying attention to our breath brings us here, into the present, where we are able to notice what’s happening within us and around us on a moment-to-moment basis.
Slowing down our breath takes little more than attention. Breathing is not an “activity” we need to accomplish. It is simply a process that we allow to happen.
As we practice letting go of effort and feeling the ground support us, we begin to experience the natural rise and fall of the breath.
We notice that after an exhale, our lungs spontaneously and organically fill again with air. The breath is simply waiting for more room so that it can fill us. And we can begin to see how our breath is our life partner, always there for us—without question.
Similar to the way we learn to rely on the support of the ground, becoming aware of our partnership with the breath reinforces our experience of connectedness. Of not feeling alone.
Your breath is talking to you all the time… and usually sweetly, if you listen.
Your breath is not the one that’s saying, “Hey, idiot.”
Your breath is the one that’s saying, “Hey, I love you.”
Our practice begins each and every time we find ourselves there instead of here. We’re learning how to notice that we’ve tripped out and then how to guide ourselves back. It doesn’t matter how many times we trip out. What matters is that we return.
Here.
Sweetly. Gently. Over and over again.
Inhale. Exhale. Begin again.
1-minute box breath practice to return… again and again
I’m sharing with you a one-minute breath practice to bring us back into the present moment. (My mom Phyllis is demonstrating this one with me!) I hope you’ll practice—anytime, anywhere.
nervous system practices
As a reminder, my new practice series focuses on 25-minute nervous system practices to support the psoas, vagus nerve, and diaphragm. You'll dive into the “anatomy” of rest and digest and work with stress and relaxation. Learn more here.
