Feeling stressed at work today? Or every day? Often the pressure we feel at work can quickly lead to distress and a constant state of feeling overwhelmed. This kind of chronic stress can affect our daily intellectual performance, making it harder for us to stay sharp and function effectively. There is even evidence in the research to suggest that dealing with these levels of stress over our lifetime may increase our risk for serious memory loss.
While stress may be part of your job, there are steps you can take to balance that pressure and keep yourself on an even keel. Today I want you to try a simple yoga breathing exercise, called Lion’s Breath, that can help you de-stress in just moments.
For this exercise, I’d like you to sit comfortably in your chair, with both feet on the floor and your hands resting comfortably in your lap or on your thighs. Start by taking a deep breath, breathing deep into your belly. Then as you exhale, stick out your tongue and exhale with a bit of force, feeling and hearing the air move out against the back of your throat. You may even make a bit of a sound as you force the air out along your throat, saying “ha” (assuming you have some privacy to do so). Repeat these steps for a few breaths. When you are done, notice how you feel. Chances are that you will feel more alert, back in focus and even more relaxed.
