Breathe deeply
illustration for Dr. Allen’s e-book, How to Become Emotionally Mature, print available here
Through the years I have learned several different techniques and ways to breathe. Techniques that help the mind and body to calm down, to ground, to meditate. I stick with the simple ones, either counting patterns: IN for 6, hold for 3, OUT for 6, hold for 3
or my favorite: while inhaling thinking “I receive” and while exhaling “I let go.”
What makes a difference is to pay attention to something we do 24/7, just a little more.
Why focus on the breath? My short answer is because it helps us be present and to think better.
It may sound silly to pay attention to something we know how to do and do it so often. But when was the last time you felt the cool air going in your nostrils and notice how your body let such warm air out?
I forget often, that’s one of the reasons I thought something visual may help.
In this illustration, I wanted the figure to be almost savoring her breath and to see the air that we normally don’t. At first it turned out more like waves, but I was able to tone it down on the computer. Like this:
The truth is that every system inside us relies on the oxygen breathing brings in. So from digestion to sleep, we need it.
I need to work a good deal on managing my emotions, it is easy for me to fall into the downward spirals of anxiety, and this is a simple and effective practice that has helped me regain control and make better choices.
An art therapist once explained this to my kids: “When we are angry there are many things that happen to your body, but mainly your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen to make the best decisions, that is your monkey brain.”
So friends, take a few breaths in and acknowledge it “I am breathing in”, breath out and acknowledge “I am breathing out.”
Let’s fill our whole body and mind with life.