Feb. 8, 2013

STRESS RELIEF IN A PINCH

The videos above are of myself doing quick-relief stress processes that can be done when you are in a pinch (such as sitting in traffic or at your desk at work, etc), or have limited time and privacy to relax.   These are videos of me sitting up because the processes are brief, whereas I otherwise would be lying down, and also I am not a videographer so they would look really really tacky of me lying down.  Take my word for it, lol!  

NOTE:  PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT THESE VIDEOS SHOULD NOT BE IN LIEU OF SOUL-SEARCHING OR OTHER PERSONAL WORK THAT MUST BE DONE IN ORDER THAT YOU  MAY FEEL WHOLE AND/OR AT EASE WITH YOURSELF as stated above.

I will be demonstrating two short methods: deep breathing and breathing with positive thinking or what I shall call positive reinforcement.  THESE ARE DONE WITH THE EYES OPEN IN PUBLIC and if you prefer, with the eyes closed in private.

From experience, each time I begin the breathing process, I have already asked myself several questions: Am I in real danger?  Can I do anything to change what's happening, or what has happened, or what may happen?  How can I resolve anything with panic, anger, frustration?  (Fear is inevitable.) What is the best action to take in the best interest of all concerned?  I find that by stopping to breathe in the way demonstrated in the video, my mind begins the decluttering process so I can receive the answers I need and calm down. 

Please consider what was discussed under the topic "Essence of Stress" regarding the Fight or Flight Syndrome relative to discerning whether your situation is life-threatening--not perceived--but real and present at the moment.  As stated before, these processes are NOT for life-threatening events as I am not trained to advise you in such matters.

The breathing exercises incorporate basic breathing and please be advised there are many different breathing patterns.  The goal is to get you to begin to be conscious about not just breathing from the upper chest or hyperventilating (breathing rapidly and taking in too much air) but utilizing the diaphragm as well for a full breath.  Breathing should be slower coming out than going in.  Intake of oxygen (breathing in) should take no longer than 30 seconds as you may be at risk of hyperventilating if too much oxygen is inhaled at once, hence at risk of passing out!  When breathing in, you are in control.  When breathing out, you can imagine you are letting go of tension and becoming calmer, if you will, as you release the carbon dioxide, which is demonstrated in the video.  For the positive reinforcement video you should have at least four things you like about yourself and would like to dispell written down.  These should not include your physicial atributes but qualities for example like your personality traits and talents and skills such as your passion, how well you sing or cook, etc.  The negative traits are things you want to dispell such as negativity, procrastination, fear, etc.

I pray the videos are helpful.

See Summary & Conclusion