That’s it. Just breathe.
Deep inhale through your abdomen. Slow. Hold. Now slowly exhale out through your mouth.
Or at least that’s what I tell myself.
I get tense without realizing it. Sometimes it’s the good kind of tension, the adrenaline before giving a talk or excitement before hosting a party. But even then, I use this reminder to breathe. To clear my mind and sharpen my focus.
I find it humorous that I even need to practice breathing. You know … the thing I do every day without thinking about it. 99.95% of the time I breathe without noticing. Yet it’s those moments when I pay attention that the air in my lungs suddenly becomes more impactful. Purposeful. Enjoyable.
Sure, I use it to relax. Practicing for weeks as part of my hypnobabies training (relaxation methods for having a peaceful non-medicated childbirth—more info to come on this in a future post I’m sure). But now I notice it everywhere.
Driving to the store when a deep breath suddenly relaxes my shoulders.
Releasing tension or frustration.
Typing an important email at work when a few deep breaths bring added clarity to my thought process.
It’s like we need air to survive or something. 😉 My encouragement for today is to take a few seconds. Yes … that’s it … just seconds. And breathe. You can afford the time. These breaths are set apart. Not while you’re running or cooking or cleaning.
Moments just to breathe.
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4
