20 Seconds #1
If you are feeling angst, stress and anxiety, take 20 seconds to do this exercise. If you feel fine, take 20 seconds to do this exercise and see what happens.
Take a deep breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth.
Take another deep breath.
Smile…for a very good reason.
The good reason for the smile is that you have just released some of the tension and overflow stress from your Amygdala. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Your amygdala is a small part of your brain, but it has a big job. It’s a major processing center for emotions. It also links your emotions to many other brain abilities, especially memories, learning and your senses. When it doesn’t work as it should, it can cause or contribute to disruptive feelings and symptoms.”
Mindfulness based exercises such as the one above contribute to a healthier amygdala and a healthier brain in general. Besides this, your heart and most other organs will thank you as well.
20 seconds…probably even less than that…is all it takes to begin to turn your runaway thoughts and emotions around. Do this exercise several times in a row to reclaim calm.
Worth Repeating
One way to break up any kind of tension is good deep breathing.
-Byron Nelson
