How often do you stop to observe yourself as a whole? As we run through everyday life, with its busyness and distractions, often we forget to check in with ourselves. To observe yourself as a whole: mind, body and spirit. Self observation can tell you so much about your health, stress and mood.
Failing to notice silent stressors allows the body to spend prolonged periods in fight or flight mode (sympathetic nervous system) which can have significant health impacts. While running on the stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, your body shuts down vital bodily functions such as digestion, fertility and muscle repair and raises your blood pressure and heart rate.
By simply stopping during the day to observe yourself as a whole can counteract stress and enable you to make conscious choices for your health and wellbeing.
This simple exercise can be done where ever you are and at any time:
- Stop and bring your awareness to observe yourself;
- Scan the body from the tips of your toes to the crown of your head, noticing any areas of tension that you need to release with mindful relaxation or gentle stretches;
- Bring your awareness to your breath. Is it shallow or deep, smooth or rough, in your belly or chest? If you breath is shallow, rough and/or in your chest it is a sign of stress;
- Take some long deep conscious breaths, breathing all the way down into your belly and extending your exhale.
This simple exercise can be done throughout the day, in whatever time you have and as often as you catch yourself feeling stress or tension. With practice it will become second nature to observe yourself, release stress and tension from your body.
Deep conscious breathing can elicit your rest and restore (parasympathetic nervous system) which will lower your blood pressure and heart rate, restore your digestion and muscle repair. This practice will bring your body, mind and spirit back into balance.
Next time you catch yourself feeling stressed or rushing through your day, take a few minutes to complete the above exercise and notice the difference it makes to your body mind and spirit.
Xo
Jo