Stressed? Here Are A Few Steps You Can Try To Relax
Monday Prompt: Don’t let people pull you into their storm, pull them into your peace.
That is such a hard thing for me. I am very empathic. Easily sucked into the bad moods of others. Those storms.
I don’t know how to find peace in the middle of a storm. Well, I know the steps, I’m just not so good at remembering them when I’m in the middle of getting sucked in.
Breathe
Breathing is one type of step. Count your breathing. Breathe in to the count of six. Hold for four counts. Finally, breathe out that breath to the count of eight.
5/5/5
Here is another form of a grounding step and is called 5/5/5. Look for five things. Listen to five things. Feel five things. Do the sequence again using only four of each group. Repeat with three, then two, and finally one. If you still find yourself stressed, feel free to start the routine over from the beginning.
Body Scan
The final one I’m going to share is doing a body scan. Scan your body, starting at your feet. No judgments. Just notice them. How they feel. Maybe what are they doing. What position are they in? Do the same with each body part you wish to examine as you move up to finally end with your head.
I’m glad to have had this prompt, as it reminded me of these steps and how, when practiced regularly, can help keep us out of stressful situations. Perhaps if we follow them, then when we’re almost getting sucked into other people’s storms, we’ll find the peace we need and be able to share it with them, instead.
