Breathe Through Stress and Anxiety

This remedy comes from Dr. Andrew Weil, an expert in holistic medicine. He calls this a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system.

We've all read research that shows the benefits of meditation to lower stress levels, but this is the best example I've seen to get into a meditative state easily by altering your breathing patterns - so good to know when you don't have the luxury of 20 minutes to sit in quiet reflection!

Here's how to do it:

• Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth, and keep it there through the entire exercise.
  
• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
  
• Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
  
• Hold your breath for a count of seven.
  
• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
  
• This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat three more times for a total of four cycles.
  

Try it out at different times of your stressful day or when your mind simply will not turn off. Be easy with yourself and know that disengaging from fear and stress allows more solutions and calm to flow to you.

Next Week: Small Steps To Success