How to breathe through the tough stuff


Have you ever heard that saying, "Breathe through it, and release anything that does not serve you"?

This isn't just a quote; it's your secret weapon for those moments when you feel like you're barely keeping your head above water and are about to turn into Godzilla: your to-do list is miles long, your furbaby keeps throwing up, and you cannot shake that cough you've been fighting for over a week. Or maybe you're in the middle of an argument with your loved one.

This is where this quote comes in handy. It's like hitting the pause button.

By focusing on your breath, you're giving yourself a moment to step back, calm down, and let go of the stress or negativity that's not doing you any favors.

Here's the best part: integrating this into your life is as easy as, well, breathing. Here's how you can start:

Find Your Quiet Corner: Step away from the noise and find a spot where you can have a moment of peace, even if it's just for a minute.

Breathe Deeply: Close your eyes (if that feels right) and draw a deep breath in through your nose; then let it out through your mouth, maybe with an audible sigh. Repeat 2-3 times. Imagine all that stress and tension leaving your body with each exhale.

Reflect and Release: While you're in this space, think about what's been bothering you. With each breath out, picture yourself letting go of these burdens, piece by piece.

So, next time you're feeling overwhelmed, remember: just breathe through it (and maybe grab a pint of ice cream or a jar of Nutella 😉).

Best,

Christine

P.S. If you'd like a reminder of this quote on your desk, check out this engraved inspirational rock.

For Women 45+ Wanting to Live a More Energized and Less Stressed Life!

Subscribe to my Yoga Joy Newsletter to receive yoga and wellness tips for women in midlife to (1) reduce stress, (2) relieve aches and pains, and (3) live a fulfilled, high-energy life … with more fun and less stress.

Read more from For Women 45+ Wanting to Live a More Energized and Less Stressed Life!

Hi, today is the fourth and final part of my four-part series of tips for specific yoga poses. You requested today's pose tutorial: Pigeon Pose. Are your hips and lower back tight from sitting too much? You might want to try Pigeon Pose, a deep hip-opening yoga stretch. Pigeon Pose is one of those love-it-or-hate-it yoga poses because of the intensity of sensations that it can evoke. Be sure to do some warmups before you move into this pose, and don't go beyond your body's ability. You want...

Hi, I want to share part three of my four-part series of tips for specific yoga poses. Today's focus is on Baby Cobra Pose, also called Low Cobra. It's an excellent pose for strengthening your back muscles and stretching the front of your body. In this pose, you gently arch your spine backward. If you want to get technical, this kind of movement is called a spinal extension. Moving your spine in this direction helps to counteract all the forward motion and more rounded shapes you make...

Guide to breath techniques to reduce stress

Hi there, I hope you had a good week despite the political turmoil in our country. I'm not going into politics in this email. But whatever your political leanings, this was a crazy, tumultuous week. It wouldn't surprise me if your thoughts are racing or you're having trouble sleeping. Let me introduce you to a secret weapon: alternate nostril breathing. Alternate nostril breathing is an easy (and ancient) yogic breath technique for managing stress. If you do it regularly, it helps you relax...