Taking a Pause
Create space between yourself and a stressful situation with a diaphragmatic breathing technique that allows the body to feel safe.
Dr. Libby Weaver is a nutritional biochemist, author, and speaker who specializes in the effects of stress on the body. She is dedicated to educating others about how stress impacts health and offers practical strategies for effective stress management and overall well-being.
She says science has proven that an extended exhalation of the breath is the key to turning off the fight-or-flight response in the sympathetic nervous system. When we breathe deeply, filling the entire diaphragm and slowly releasing that breath, it lets the body know it is safe to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the body.
In addition to this powerful breathing practice, you’ll discover how:
✓ Energy is the real currency of health ✓ Joy and appreciation are an irreplaceable source of energy ✓ Micropauses for gratitude are game-changers for stress reduction and health ✓ Pressure and urgency are our perceptions, and we can change our perceptions ✓ Pausing to get in touch with what we are afraid of is the key to creating a new story
Home play: Make it a habit to practice diaphragm breathing with an extended exhalation before starting the car, answering emails, scrolling on your phone, or after a stressful situation. It only takes a few seconds to reset the body, find joy in the moment, and create a new story.