You know those days when you have so much to do that by the end you say something like, “I didn’t even have time to breathe.”  Well, indeed you didn’t … breathe, that is.  Having worked full-time, been a stay-at-home Mom, and also worked part-time outside the home while being a stay-at home Mom (worst of both worlds) I became a master of no-time-to-breathe.  How many of you are masters as well?  No matter if you’re a man or a woman,  single or married, with children or without, commuting or working from home, we all have breathless days. Did you know that while so engaged we actually do not get enough air?  We breath shallowly from the upper portion of our lungs? This makes us more tense as the body goes into flight or flight mode. The result – we end up more tired and stressed than we need to be because we’ve been starved of oxygen.  (Although I’d like to explain this and the other biological processes involved, it would take too much space here and you would be better served by contacting the appropriate sources. If you feel so inclined, do research the medical facts.)  In any case, fear not, there is a way to feel calm during those hectic breathless days. It takes only minutes and you don’t even need to get out of your seat.  Before you make the next call, open another pressing email, back out of that parking space, while you wait at the stop light, or sit in a waiting room become mindful of your breath.  Is it shallow, maybe a bit too fast? Drop your shoulders, uncross your legs, put down the phone or magazine, raise your head to a comfortable position, close your eyes (if you’re at that stop light please, keep your eyes open but try to relax the space between your brows),  and then just sigh.  Next take in a long slow breath all the way down to your abdomen, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly sigh it out.  Repeat.  Do this as often as you can throughout the day.  You may get in only one or two cycles with your first try but be patient with yourself.  You can get into the habit with practice.  I’m still in the learning phase but I’ve noticed a delicious ease that comes with, ahhhh,  breathing.  

“When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace.”  ~Author Unknown