When your mind starts getting away from you, we know that the suggestion is to breathe. But how?
When you notice anxiety rising or your mind start spinning, notice that you’ve noticed. This is a part of who you are right now and you may have been sitting with it for a long time. Instead of demonising it or trying to push it down and away, simply acknowledge that, for now, this is a part of who you are and it’s here.
Take the deepest breath in that you’ve taken today and let it fill you up. When you breathe out, focus on gently softening the skin of your face, softening the muscles of the jaw, even letting your teeth part a little. A lot of us hold tension in the jaw, so also notice if your tongue is on the roof of your mouth and let it drop. Let the shoulders sag a little.
If you find your eyes close when doing this, let it happen. Take a moment for a couple of breaths like this.
When you’re ready, gently open the eyes and return to your day.
