Stress, Holidays & Breathing

Any time of year can feel stressful, especially around the holidays. Stress shows up throughout our body, including on our skin. My complexion can break out when I'm feeling extra anxious.

So for this Thanksgiving weekend, I hope everybody takes the time to ground themselves when anxiety starts to creep in. Grounding can include a few activities to slow down our nervous system and remind ourselves that we are safe. One grounding exercise is to wiggles your toes in your shoes and press them firmly on the floor.  Another grounding favorite is just to remind myself to be in the present moment. Don't worry about the future. Don't dwell on the past. Just enjoy and pay attention to now. The current moment is all we have control over.

My tried and true grounding exercise is breathing. Focusing on the breath is simple and relaxing. Breathe in. Breathe out. One breath at a time is the only thing to think about. Still know what's going on around yourself, as you sit, walk or drive through the day. Be aware of your surroundings and just feel air come in, and air go out. Inhale. Exhale. Our body's systems have to move and flow by absorbing, blocking, contracting, and releasing energy internally and externally. Our skin breathes, too. Skin is our largest organ, and the barrier for our body to the entire outer world.

So, enjoy each breath. Each breath can lower or heighten anxiety. Pay attention to the inhale and exhale tempo. Slow it down with longer inhales and longer exhales to decrease anxiety and stress. For grounding breaths, I tell myself positive thoughts as I inhale. And I release negative or unwanted thoughts with each exhale. This healthy deep breathing exercise is good for our body and skin and helps to lower our stress levels.

Breathe in oxygen. Breathe out carbon dioxide.

Breathe in clean. Breathe out dirty.

Breathe in life. Breathe out death.

Breathe in love. Breathe out hate.

Breathe in growth. Breathe out shrinking.

Breathe in hope. Breathe out doubt.

Breathe in community. Breathe out isolation.

Breathe in smiles. Breathe out frowns.

Breathe in hugs. Breathe out pain.

Breathe in friendship. Breathe out enemy.

Breathe in goodness. Breathe out jealousy.

Breathe in team. Breathe out selfishness.

Breathe in healing. Breathe out damage.

Breathe in positivity. Breathe out negativity. 

Breathe in yes. Breathe out no.

Breathe in go. Breathe out stop.

Breathe in sparkles. Breathe out dullness.

Breathe in rainbow. Breathe out clouds.

Breathe in fresh. Breathe out old.

Breathe in absorption. Breathe out blockages.

Breathe in confidence. Breathe out defeat.

Our lungs breathe all day long AND so does our skin. Our skin needs to breathe, too. Our systems have to flow to live.

So to live through and enjoy this years holidays, don't forget to enjoy them. Stay grounded. And remember to breathe goodness and breathe out whatever no longer serves you.

Happy Thanksgiving!