Take a Deep Breath

Sometimes it's really just as simple as that.

Take a minute today to just stop

Breathe.

And then continue on with your day.

Not surprisingly, scientific studies have shown that focused breathing, for normal adults is "associated with greater left-sided anterior brain activation which in turn has been linked with 'more adaptive responding to negative and/or stressful events. Specifically…faster recovery after a negative provocation' (Davidson p. 569)." (Arch)

• Arch, Joanna J. "Mechanisms of mindfulness: Emotion regulation following a focused breathing induction". Behaviour Research and Therapy. Vol 44, Issue 12. 2006. http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxygw.wrlc.org/science/article/pii/S0005796705002743 

• Davidson, Richard J. "Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation." http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/65/4/564  

So: Take a deep breath. It won't cost you hundreds of dollars for an hour-long discussion with a "professional", and it might actually help you better cope with all the stress and craziness of life.

Funny how simple things like that can make all the difference...

Thanks for reading,
CJ