Breathing – our most precious gift. When we are afraid, anxious and feeling out of control, when we are feeling huge pressure and expectation we take little shallow, timid breaths.
Our brains need BIG DEEP breaths to help us to think clearly, to move through the cobwebs of confusion and to bring life giving enriched oxygen to those very distant and tired parts of body, mind and soul.
Like me, I bet there are moments in the day when you realise that you are hardly breathing at all, and that you can’t remember the last time you breathed from deep in your belly so your lungs were really full and then really empty.
Try this simple, comforting little exercise:
1. Breathe in through your nose to the count of 5,
2. Hold your breath for the count of 3 and then
3. Breathe out through your mouth for the count of 4.
You can do this anywhere. If you are in a mask a lot of the day and find that they are unpleasant to wear, it’s even more important to do this. Find a safe place to do it and even better, stick your head out of the door or the window so you get some fresh air into your lungs.
Visualise in your imagination your ‘happy place’ – maybe you also have a post card or photo of that beach, or a child’s birthday party, a wedding or family gathering that made you feel relaxed, connected and wonderful.
Keep those mental pictures or real photos handy and go there when you can. You could even invite a resident to share their special place with you and talk about these happy places together.