Advanced Stress Management

Top Tip 2:

Learn to breathe correctly.  As teenagers and adults we unlearn how to breathe properly.  When anxious and stressed the tendency is to shallow breathe which can lead to hyperventilation and ultimately to passing out.  Breathing deeply forces the body into a relaxed state therefore immediately easing one’s state of mind.

Do this:

• Take a deep breath in for the count of 6,
• hold for 6,
• release for 6.
• Repeat 3 times or more as you need it. 

What this does is to force your shoulders to drop down from their stress alertedness to relaxed position.  When stressed we hold our shoulders tensely, (do you find you get stress related headaches? then this will work a treat).

If time permits as you take the final breath, close your eyes and visualise what we call a “safe haven” - perhaps you’re by the beach or in outer space - some place that is your haven where we feel the sun on your face, hear the gentle lap of the waves on the sandy beach - whatever or wherever this place is bring all your senses in on scene and you are amazed at how much calmer you feel.