Would you like to know my favorite stress reduction tip? Well, I thought you would.

The holidays are truly upon us and we may all be experiencing huge amounts of stress. This time to be jolly sometimes brings stirs up frustration and a sense of urgency. So, I wanted to share my favorite stress reduction tip with you – that can be done anywhere — at your desk, in your car, while cooking in the kitchen — or any place where stress seems to be overwhelming you.

Here’s how to do it:

Take a deep breath, inhaling over 5 seconds and exhaling over 5 seconds. With each inhale, visualize the sources of your stress. With each exhale, visualize these stresses leaving your body and flowing outside of you. Do this for 5 complete, full breaths. If you have more time, continue for a few more breaths until you really feel your body letting go and lightening up.

I do this breathing exercise a few times a day. Depending on the day, I may do it 5-6 times! And I can assure you that it makes my life, and the lives of those around me, much, much better!
There is a physiological reason for this and Buddhist monks have used conscious deep breathing during meditation for centuries. By concentrating on your lungs and expanding in your chest, you are bringing highly oxygenated blood to your tissues, centering your body and clearing your mind.

Try it… let me know how it works for you!