Does every single day feel like it starts out at a high level of stress and compounds from there? I don't want that for you, and I'm sure you don't want it for yourself either. Now is the perfect time to curate self-care techniques for noticing your stressors and managing them.
The goal is to support your innate ability to heal, adapt and be resilient - which means allowing your nervous system to flow between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest & digest) responses.
You can encourage this flow with intentional micro-breaks of 1 minute or less throughout the day, like my two favorites below.
- In less than 30 seconds you can soothe your nervous system and support the tone your Vagus Nerve with a Humming Breath. Inhale slowly through your nose and hum as you exhale. Feel the vibration in your throat, mouth and lips. Repeat for 5 rounds (or as many as you want).
- In less than 1 minute you can give your brain a visual processing break by closing your eyes and checking in on yourself. Cup your palms over your eyes, use an eye pillow or just close them. Take a few rounds of breath and notice how you feel, your mental activity, and your emotional state.
It may seem so minimal, but taking care of ourselves doesn't have to be hard or take up a lot of time. Try these micro-breaks or choose some of your own - with an intention of down-regulating the nervous system versus energizing.
Use them a few times throughout the day, each day over the next two weeks and observe any changes in how you feel. This can be anything from noticing your stress levels are different, feeling less irritable or less emotionally reactive, to improvement in how you feel overall.
Invite me to share my online wellness workshop
"Nervous System Reset with Micro-Breaks"
with your employees to encourage self-care during the workday
Nervous System Reset with Micro-Breaks
30 minutes | $300 | Includes 3 wellness giveaways, free US shipping
RESERVE YOUR WORKSHOP HERE
Addresses physical and mental well-being
About the Author:
Tiffany Lord, E-RYT & Yoga Therapeutic Specialist
Corporate Yoga Coach
Resilience + Stress Management Expert
As the founder of Love + Asana, I help busy professionals feel more resilient and and increase agency in their wellness. This all-levels, accessible approach to physical and mental health at work allows employees to easily learn and implement healthy habits during their work day…and feel the benefits ripple out into all areas of life
Since 2016, I’ve had the honor of coaching thousands of employees through virtual sessions and workshops focused on relaxation techniques, mindset, and mobility. My wellness articles have been featured in fyi50+, CO Yoga + Life, and I’m the author of three “Get With Gratitude” journals based on my online workshop series for resiliency through a grateful mindset.
I completed a 200-hour training through CorePower Yoga and received my 500-hour Therapeutic Specialist certificate through Yoga Medicine to complement my background in massage therapy and Bachelor’s Degree in International Business with Cum Laude honors from the University of Colorado at Denver. As a Continuing Education Provider with the Yoga Alliance, I share my knowledge of functional movement and the mind-body connection with yoga instructors wanting to deepen their teaching toolkit.