You’re Probably Forgetting to Breathe

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You're Probably Forgetting to BreatheThere is no pretending our world is going to slow down anytime soon. But you can…anytime you want, anywhere you are, with a simple tool you were born with: your breath. Sounds pretty easy right? If we are honest, though, you many of us have thought about our breath today? Because it’s so innate to daily living, it doesn’t require extra thought. But there is value in pausing to take note of this elemental pillar of our health. Lots of people breathe only using the top one-third of their lungs without even realizing it. Those shallow breaths don’t give the body the oxygen it needs to thrive. But deep breaths reset the body physically, taking a person out of the stressful patterns it’s so easy to get locked into.

Now for the really good news: You can start breathing better right now. All that’s required of you is more conscious inhale, then exhale. Then repeat. Need to find a little more breath. Try yoga or even health and wellness coaching to find less stress and more breath. We offer both at The Hammock LLC.

Why Is Breathing Good for You?

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Why Is Breathing Good for You?We all breathe RIGHT? Yes, but are we taking the full benefits of breath.  Every system in the body relies on oxygen. From cognition to digestion, effective breathing can also provide a sense of mental clarity, can help you sleep better, digest food more efficiently, improve the immune system, and reduce stress. Are you breathing properly?

Here are some tricks to know:

Lie down and put an object on your belly. When you breathe, is the object moving up and down? If it is, great! You are using your diaphragm for every breath. The diaphragm is what pushes the belly in and out…that is why deep breathing is sometimes called belly breath.

Practice Breathing Deeply:  Keep the object on your belly, as you inhale, push it up toward the ceiling. Inhale for two seconds, hold your breath for one second, then exhale for two seconds. When you exhale imagine you are blowing out birthday candles—like you are trying to get every last bit of air out of your lungs. When you can easily do the two-second inhale and exhale, increase to three seconds.

Build lung strength: If interested in increasing your lung capacity, find a straw, and try this…it is called straw breath. Start by taking a normal inhale, then place the straw at your lips and exhale so the air goes through the straw. When you are almost down with the exhale, move the straw away from your mouth, close your lips and blow the rest of the air through your nose. Take two inhales and exhales without the straw, then repeat.

Going Deeper with Your Breath

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Going Deeper with Your BreathShort, shallow breaths trigger what’s is know as the fight or flight response. Our ancestors used this response to keep alive during hunting. Now days this response gets triggered for all kinds of reasons. Some as simple as discovering that you are late for a meeting. Spending days in this type of response in this “go” mode drains energy, and increases stress. You can break this cycle by improving the quality of the breaths you take. Over time you will find that deep breathing makes it easier to relax and find a clearer state of mind. This will help you to be more productive and calmer even when your plate is full. You can take a moment to breathe anywhere and anytime. Here are some ideas on when to breathe:

  • While sitting at a red light
  • Before you board a flight
  • While waiting for the coffee to brew
  • With the kids at bedtime
  • In line at the grocery store
  • Before tackling the “inbox”
  • While on hold during a call
  • At work before each meeting
  • In the morning before you get out of bed
  • In the evening before you go to sleep

Let’s Talk About Sore Throats

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Let’s Talk About Sore ThroatsI recently had a sore throat that started shortly after lunch. I try to be proactive in my health care so I quickly grabbed some of my Thieves products from Young Living. First I gargled with the Thieves Mouth Wash then I put a couple of drops of Thieves Vitality oil in my mouth just under my tongue. I also put some drops of the Thieves Vitality oil in my water to drink.

By dinner, things were feeling much better but just to safe, I added some Lemon Vitality oil and Peppermint Vitality oil to my water also.  By bedtime, my throat was completely better. But as I like to be proactive I continued drinking my water with all three oils in it for a few days. I also put all three oils in my diffuser at night.

Now four days later I still a pain-free throat and no other sinus issues came through! Gotta love it when the oils work to make me feel better! Remember I am not saying any of this will cure something – I just know it helps me.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the information in these blogs please feel free to contact me through The Hammock LLC.

Well, that is it for now. We will chat again later.

Melissa

Feeling Vulnerable with Conversations?

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Feeling Vulnerable with Conversations?Try using these questions to become comfortable within the situations and/or get people talking.  Here are a few starter questions to try:

  • When was the last time you laughed until you cried? The last time you cried until you laughed.
  • What is one-way you’d like to be more like your parents? One way you would like to be different?
  • How is your current life different from what you imagined it would be when you were a child? How is it the same?
  • What was your high/low of the day? Of the week?
  • Where-either a physical location or place in your mind…did you love going as a child?
  • What made you feel brave recently?
  • What is one step that you could take toward a big risk this week?

These are great and powerful questions that could move you toward what you want in your life. Our Health and Wellness Coach can help you find your answers and move you forward in your goals.

Let’s Talk About Plantar Fasciitis

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Let’s Talk About Plantar FasciitisIt’s painful and hard to get rid of. I haven’t had plantar fasciitis for 4 years until this last week.

Four years ago I tried exercise and over the counter pain meds to get rid of it. Nothing really worked. It kept coming back. Eventually, I got desperate and tried some Agilease from Young Living. Agilease supports joint and cartilage health, helps with inflammation, joint flexibility and mobility.

I had some on hand and someone had suggested I try Agilease. I took 2 before bed and the next morning the pain was 50% better. I continued to take 2 Agilease before bed for two more days. On the 3rd day the pain was completely gone. It didn’t come back for 4 years!

When it did come back this last week I took 2 Agilease before bed for two days and the pain was gone! I tell you, I love this stuff and it works great for me!

If you are interested in learning more about any of the information in these blogs please feel free to contact me through The Hammock LLC.

Well, that is it for now. We will chat again later.

Melissa

Self-Care Tips That Can Enhance Your Well-Being: (the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy)

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  • Self-Care Tips That Can Enhance Your Well-BeingCreate “mindful reminders” by choosing something that happens randomly during your day such as getting a text, stopping at a red light, noticing a flowering tree, finding a red car, and others. Use it as a signal to pause and take a few breaths.
  • Do more of what you love. When you get busy and stressed (which seems to be a lot at times) resist the tendency to skip the things that feel your soul. Instead, double down on what you love-whether it is hiking, reading, coloring, dancing, or spending time with people who make you laugh.
  • Oil your feet before bed. Try a warm bottle of sunflower or coconut oil in a bowl of hot water, use about a tablespoon to coat your feet and ankles and massage each foot for a few minutes. You could even rub your special friend or person’s feet while they rub yours. This is very relaxing and could promote a good night sleep.
  • Give yourself a good shot of nature throughout the day. Get outside for a few minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening. During your time outside bring in your sensory awareness such as the sounds, the feeling of the breeze, and the colors around you.
  • Savor the good. Each day or night ask yourself “What was a great moment today?” This will help you change your thinking toward positive thoughts and emotions.

Let’s Talk About Issues with Heartburn or What I Call “Gas Episodes”

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Let’s Talk About Issues with HeartburnI get these times when I feel like I have a buildup of gas in my abdomen/chest area. Like if I could just poke a straw in it all this air would come out and I would feel so much better. Ever have that feeling?

I used to grab some Tums and if that didn’t work, I would grab some carbonated drink (coke). If those didn’t work or weren’t available, I would reach for some minty gum or mints. Of course, the longer it took to get rid of the pressure buildup the worse the pain got.

Now I reach for my Young Living Peppermint Vitality oil. I put a couple of drops in my mouth, under my tongue and wait. Within 2 – 5 minutes I am starting to feel better. By 30 minutes all the pressure is gone.

This has happened a few times and each time I get the same results. Mind you waiting for those first 2 – 5 minutes can be a bit painful and having me doubt whether it will work this time. But if I am patient and wait, it does work for me.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the information in these blogs please feel free to contact me through The Hammock LLC.

Well, that is it for now. We will chat again later.

Melissa

Taking a Risk

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Taking a RiskThe definition of risk is a situation that exposes you to danger. But the danger doesn’t always look like we might think.

  • You could be in danger of falling in love.
  • You could be in danger of having the best days of your life.
  • You could be in danger of getting everything you want.
  • You could be in danger of laughing so hard it hurts.
  • You could be in danger of finding a person who knows what you are thinking before you say a word.
  • You could be in danger of loving a song so much you have to sing it out loud.
  • You could be in danger of opening your heart instead of closing it.
  • You could be in danger of getting the job you really wanted.
  • You could be in danger of finding a family that you really need.

Just like risks can take lots of different forms, rewards often appear in unexpected ways. Hard conversations can give clarity. Second place sometimes shows up as motivation. Endings guide us to new beginnings.

A reward might be a simple shift in your life which may make you see the world from a different perspective. A reward may be worth the risk.

  • Is there anything you want more in your life?
  • What risk or “danger” might get you there?
  • Are there times when unexpected changes have happened that changed your life for better?
  • How do you feel about stepping in the unknown?

Try taking a risk and connect with our Health and Wellness coach. The Discovery Session is FREE.

De-Stress with Art

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FDe-Stress with Arteeling overwhelmed? You might want to bust out a pack of colored pencils, crayons, colored markers, and even paints. Individuals report that they feel better, have more confidence, and are less stressed and anxious when they participate in some type of art.  When we create, we are using our senses and engaging in a form of problem-solving. This gives us a sense of accomplishment and lets us express the emotions we can’t put into words. There is much potential in art which includes improved cognitive, sensory, motor skills, and a feeling of calm and well-being.

Coloring