Are you holding your breath?

I know, it’s a funny question to ask. You’re just going about your business, getting things done, checking stuff off that list. And I’m bugging you about your weird bodily functions that you shouldn’t have to add to the million things you’re already dealing with.

But I’m seriously asking. Are you?

Obviously you’re not purposely suffocating yourself. But you might be one of the millions of people (me!) who’s normal mode is shallow breathing, holding a lot of stress in our bodies, and yes, even holding our breath - usually on an inhale - for much longer than necessary.

This might not seem important, but stick with me.

Let’s talk physiology for a moment. When we are about to do something that requires energy or focus we often take a big inhale, and it gives us power and focuses our attention and our abilities. Lifting a kid to help them was their hands in the sink. Lugging a Costco-size box of groceries into the house. Walking into a meeting wanting to give a good first impression. We take an inhale, and do. the. thing.

This breath gives us power. It enables us to use all our resources for one specific effort. Conscious, or not.

But so many of us are caught in a cycle of always being ON, always efforting, always doing things that require that kind of external effort, that we forget to release. We’re living in this short inhale.

From one, to the next, to the next. Waiting for permission to take a breath, let it out. Relax. Recover. And we never get it.

Truth is, when we’re living on these short inhales we’re actually cutting our power short. The power is on the exhale. 

If you practice yoga, weight lifting, or even have a physical therapy routine you’re supposed to be working on (I see you!), then you know the true power in physical exertion happens when you release that breath while you move. 

Think about it. If you reach to lift that heavy box, and begin by taking a deep breath, then engaging your core on your exhale, the motion is SO much more supported by your strength, than if you hold your breath the entire time. 

And if you take that breath before you walk into a stressful meeting, allowing yourself to inhale and then exhale fully, without holding, then you’re much more grounded. And you’re much more likely to take deeper breaths throughout the meeting, providing a signal to your nervous system that it is safe to slow down and be present in this moment, to show up with authenticity. And in this way you allow yourself access to a much wider range of your creativity, talents, and problem solving skills. 

Try it. 

In this moment, take notice of how deep or shallow your breathing is. If you stop to notice, you’ll most likely automatically take a deeper slower breath, because that’s what your body needs. 

Your body doesn’t need to be on overdrive all the time. Your spirit doesn't need you be living your life on autopilot. And you have a lot you can let go of just by using your breath.

When you allow yourself to slow down, you’ll start to notice what you actually do need. 

Perhaps a glass of water. 

Maybe to relax your hand or  leg muscles for a moment, taking a little stretch. Or a little walk around the office, or the block. 

It could be that you’ve had to pee since lunch, and you’ve been successfully ignoring your poor bladder.

Or have you been meaning to send that text response that’s gnawing at you. Just take a breath, and take care of it. 

Let’s do it together now: Take a pause. Perhaps you’ve been disconnected from your body for so long it would help to close your eyes. So close them. 

      Notice your breath. 

           What do YOU need, right now? 

Now, What is the simplest thing you can do to take care of that need? 

Learning to take notice of your breath takes practice. But just a few times a day can build momentum over time. 

Deep breaths bathe your body in relaxing hormones, counteracting the stresses of everyday life. Imagine how much happier all the cells of your body will feel when they're getting the oxygen they need! 

Let’s do it again… 

Inhale. 

Exhale. 

Inhale. 

Exhale. 

Aaaaaaah. Now isn't’ that just a little better? Thank you for taking the time for yourself. The world needs you, and you need to breathe. 

With all the love,

Marit