Take a Break

Take a Break

"Every day brings a choice:
to practice stress or to practice peace."
~Joan Borysenko

Take a Break! When we cultivate activities in our day-to-day lives that have the ability to leave us feeling nourished and renewed, we go through life with a sense of ease and contentment. 

This can be as simple as taking a 15 minute meditation break, a walk around the block, a few rounds of yoga sun salutations... really anything that gets you away from your desk and gives your mind and body a break. 

Spending a few minutes each day focusing on our breath is a great tool to take control of the stresses in our lives. We need to learn to manage stress and this sort of internal retreat or mini-vacation is therapeutic, providing a restorative break from the challenges of work and every day life - just the ticket to bring us to a peaceful mindset and a more productive day.  

One of my favorite Jin Shin Jyutsu practices is the 36 Conscious Exhalations.  What a great way to take a break and to establish a practice of mindful breathing! Begin by counting each exhalation. Allow your breath to unfold naturally. If you lose count, just begin again. This exercise can be done all at once, or broken into 4 session of 9 breaths each. In time, your breathing will automatically become deeper and more rhythmic. As you EXHALE, unload the stresses that are held in your body. Exhale from head to toes. Receive each breath with awareness and appreciation. Inhale from toes to head. RECEIVE the Cosmic Energy of Abundance. Connect to the Cosmic Energy Force.

Consider how many studies show us that stress can lead to serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, depression, sleeplessness, decreased immunity, and substance abuse. It is increasingly important that we find ways to relax!

"He who lives in harmony with himself
lives in harmony with the world."
~Marcus Aurelius