If you’ve ever felt stressed, or constantly on the go, your body may begin to feel the tightness from the stress. It’s hard, particularly in a city like Washington, D.C., to take a small time-out to unwind, relax, and calm yourself down. But even a taking a short break and a breath or two can reduce blood pressure, stress on the heart, and quiet the mind.
As Dr. Allison Haynes, DPT, explains in this video, it’s easy to just take a quick moment, even in your office, to gather yourself together. You’ll want to lie on your back and place your hands on the outside of your rib cage Inhale and feel your breath expand your rib cage laterally and posteriorly. Air will enter the sides and the back, and you may even feel the pressure on the floor. As you exhale, your rib cage will go down. Keep your muscles smooth and your breaths the same length. Focus on just your breathing and nothing else – block out any distractions or pressing thoughts. After, you’ll feel much calmer and collected, which can help you throughout the rest of your day.