Healthful Hint #1:

Breathing is THE best way to reduce your stress. Have you ever gone to the doctor and were asked take a deep breath? Where do we usually breathe when asked this question? Most of us breathe deep into our chest. We puff out the chest like a peacock on display. We’d be better off if we dropped that breath down into our bellies. Imagine a beach ball. Let yourself sit tall by softly extending your spine as you imagine breathing into that beach ball located at your belly. Don’t worry about looking skinny as you breathe into the beach ball…you want to see your belly grow large and round, then as you exhale gently and slowly draw your belly toward your spine. Now close your eyes and breathe this way for several slow, luxurious breaths. After several of these breaths, your stress level will be markedly reduced. (NOTE: This breath may need to be repeated several times a day to keep your stress in check, until breathing at your belly becomes second-nature. Keep your eyes open if you do this breath while driving.)