I have a serious question: Are you getting enough oxygen?
Not in the metaphorical sense, but in the physical one. When we are in fight or flight mode, we tend to take short, shallow breaths, preparing the body for activity. That’s great for running away from tigers, but not so great for finding calm, ease, and stillness.
A growing body of research (here’s one abstract) points to a compelling link between slow, deep breathing and pain relief. That’s big news when more than 1 in 10 adults regularly uses some form of pain medication, with 1 in 20 using some form of prescription opioid. In much of my personal practice, and in my work with clients, I tend to emphasize slow, deep, mindful breathing.
Here’s the “but”: The sympathetic nervous system, the thing that turns on when we’re running from a tiger, is also responsible for other times when we want to be active and alert. Going out dancing. Climbing a mountain. Meeting someone and getting that “butterflies” feeling. We can’t be in “rest and digest” mode all the time - but that doesn’t mean we have to ping-pong back and forth between threat-avoidance and recovery. We can choose to use our activation energy toward joyful ends.
Today was a GORGEOUS fall day in my part of West Virginia. Dewy grasses on my morning walk giving way to intense afternoon sunlight, vibrant colors. I was planning a chair yoga video, but the day had other plans - it wanted some celebration, just because. And so today, the tiniest little movement snack: 12 Breaths of Joy. Maybe you’ve seen those “oh, I wasn’t sad, I just needed [a cupcake…a day in the mountains…to quit my corporate job…a cup of tea]” posts. This practice is my go-to for those times when I’m feeling a little low-energy, a little off. Not only does the movement stimulate the sympathetic nervous system in a lovely, good-vibes kind of way, but those big inhales and giant exhale do a lovely job of oxygenating the body. Regardless of external circumstances, these breaths never fail to help me find a little reserve of energy and joy.
I hope you en”joy”!
Below: audio version of this post
Great way to start the morning!