Don’t forget to breathe! Our natural response in times of stress is Fight-or-Flight. Our muscles tense, our heart rate goes up, and we are prepared to act! We react with more intensity than needed and are left feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and out of control. Our mind and body are disconnected. To regain control requires us to be conscious of our thoughts which are leading to these intense emotions. Learning to be conscious of our breathing is paramount to reducing stress, improving immunity, and letting go of what we cannot control. Breathing consciously keeps us grounded, brings us self-awareness, and allows us to solve problems with our minds instead of our muscles.

Try this simple breathing exercise, designed around ancient ayurvedic medicine traditions:

• Sit up straight
• Take a deep breath in through your nose for 7 seconds. You can place your hand on your abdomen to make sure you are breathing nice and deeply, from your belly. Your hand should visibly rise and fall with your breath.
• Next, hold this breath for 7 seconds
• Slowly breath out of your nose for 7 seconds
• Repeat this pattern 7 times