The Power of a Deep Breath
WAIT!
Wait for what, you may be asking? Good question!
This week, I’d like to talk about simply pausing before reacting. When we are thrust into situations that make us nervous, uncomfortable, or emotional in any way, it’s common to react immediately in order to release that build-up of tension.
We’ve all done it, but how often have you regretted that instantaneous reaction? Matching someone else’s negative emotions might feel like the natural thing to do, but this often leads to regret.
I know personally, once I’ve taken a step back from the situation and been able to look at it in a different light, I’ve come across solutions that would have been much more helpful than my immediate visceral reaction.
That’s all well and good, but how can one put a lid on the initial response in order to respond from a place of calm?
I’ll let you in on a little secret… The solution is to breathe. It’s hard to let words fly when you’re focusing on taking a deep breath! We’ve talked quite a bit about mindfulness, and this is a time when you’re really going to want to put it into play. Responding, rather than reacting, can make a big difference in how emotionally charged situations play out.
When you react, you’re likely making an emotional decision without considering the consequences. Responding means that you are taking a conscious effort to take a step back and analyze the situation. In general, we make better decisions when our emotions aren’t totally in charge of the process!
A simple, yet often overlooked, tactic that can make a big difference in your response is to take a moment and take a deep breath. A powerful breathing practice is to inhale for a count of four, and exhale for a count of 8. Then repeat this several times.
What can you achieve with this simple practice?
It may help:
- Calm you down- Oxygenating your brain and body can help you stay calm and think clearly.
- Allow you to hear the message- If you react to what someone is saying without taking a breath, you likely were formulating your response while they were still speaking. This means you may not have heard the whole message!
- Give you time to craft your response- By allowing yourself time to fully hear the message, your response will be more rational and appropriate.
Becoming adept at using your breath to create your own personal pause button is a skill that will serve you for the rest of your life! Pressing the pause button gives you the ability to make mindful choices. Taking back your power to respond rather than react is empowering.
After all, we don’t have to say everything we think! 😉
If you are ready to go ALL IN and start creating the life you’ve dreamed about, your journey starts now! Schedule your FREE Breakthrough Coaching Call with me HERE and start designing your best life!
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