Page 84 - Natural Health (February 2020)

Make time for a

MICROPAUSE

These little mindful moments could help you rebalance your
stress levels and stay on top of life

Do you ind your diary is crammed down your creativity. Go and stand by a MICRO PAUSE THREE
from the moment you start work? window, allowing your attention to move – inhale lavender oil
Perhaps you’re already checking emails outward to the horizon. Breathe as you Lavender is one of the most versatile oils
over breakfast, or squeezing in calls on your do this and let fresh perspectives come to have in your de-stress kit. Put a couple
commute to the office. You’re not alone, to you. Allow your eyes to relax and of drops in your palms, rub together, then
but being constantly switched on like this soften and let your gaze gently expand. inhale deeply for instant calm. Add a few
can wreak havoc with your stress levels Stay here for a couple of minutes. Take drops to your bath with a carrier oil,
and before you know it you’re on a road to your breath in through your nose and or sprinkle on your pillow to help you
burnout. There are ways to minimise this down into your belly. This will have you sleep at night.
risk. You often hear people talk about ‘living rebalanced before you know it.
in the moment’. Being in the moment is MICRO PAUSE FOUR
just you taking a few seconds or minutes to MICROPAUSE TWO – take three deep breaths
recognise what’s happening at that exact – drink more water When you feel anxious, your chest tightens
time. Micro pauses are simple ways for you That band of tension around your head and your breath becomes shallow; the
to rebalance when you need it. The aim is isn’t always stress; it can be dehydration resulting lack of oxygen makes you feel
not to be perfect but to be awake, conscious as the cells in your brain shrink from lack even more anxious. In these moments it
and observant of yourself. of fluids. Keep a bottle of water with you helps to breathe, and then breathe again
and drink more than you need. If you more deeply. Breathing reconnects you to
MICROPAUSE ONE find yourself going to the bathroom more your body, reduces anxiety and allows you
– look to the horizon to begin with, this is another sign you are to come back to the here and now. Close
When you are feeling busy and stressed, your dehydrated – drink up and your body your eyes or choose a focus point and take
attention naturally goes inward and closes will rebalance. a deep breath, in through your nose and

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