♥ Monday Mood Modifier ♥ (on Tuesday...oops)

As I was struggling to get through my own Monday Madness, I turned to one of the most beneficial stress and anxiety relievers. BREATHING...

The story goes like this...you have a stressful day at work and then you get in your car and the whole bottom of the car feels like it is going to fall off. The perform service light comes on and you call your husband for assistance. He says take it to the mechanic and have them look at it. You are a female and have no idea what "camber", "ball joint" or a "lower control arm" is and you know you will be ripped off simply because you are a female at the mechanic. Panic sets in and you don't have the energy to face this stressful task. As you are driving the frustration begins to build but there seems to be nothing you can do. WRONG!!! You can practice you breathing techniques and this is exactly what I did. Here is a simple yet physiologically necessary way to calm yourself when situations like this come up in your life.

1. Start by making yourself comfortable. This can be done anywhere, however if possible I recommend laying down on your back. If not then try to sit up straight with both feet on the ground.

2. Exhale completely through your mouth, saying "relax" in you head or aloud as you exhale

3. Inhale deeply through your nose to the mental count of 4 with your mouth closed

4. Hold your breathe to a count of 6

5. Exhale completely through your mouth to a mental count of 8

6. This is one cycle. Try to complete at least 3 cycles or as many as needed until you start to feel your body relax.

SOUNDS SIMPLE...IT IS!!!

Happy Tuesday!

(photo via traveltalkteach)

Just a little eye candy to help you through the breathing exercise. Sometimes it helps to imagine yourself on a beautiful beach as you practice your breathing. This photo was taken a year ago on a fabulous trip to the Caribbean. This is Trunk Bay on the stunning island of St. John.