Anxiety- I let go of this
How can you ease anxiety?
Here’s a tool for you:
→ Alternate nostril breathing (or “Nadi Shodhana”)
It’s a breathing technique commonly used in yoga and meditation.
It’s gonna help you calm your mind.
Ready?
Let’s get started.
1. Sit in a comfy spot.
If you sit on the floor, cross your legs.
If you sit on a chair, make sure your feet are flat on the ground.
Also, make sure your spine is straight but relaxed.
2. Now close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Just to relax your body and mind.
3. Now rest your left hand on your left knee, palm facing up.
And bring your right hand to your nose.
You’re gonna use:
→ your right thumb to close your right nostril.
→ your right ring finger to close your left nostril.
4. Okay, start by closing your right nostril with your right thumb.
Inhale deeply through your left nostril.
Count to 4 as you breathe in.
5. Now use your right ring finger to close your left nostril while releasing the right nostril.
Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
6. Now release your right nostril and exhale completely through it.
Count to 4 as you breathe out.
7. Now, keeping your right nostril open, inhale deeply through it
Count to 4 as you breathe in.
8. Now close your right nostril with your right thumb.
Hold your breath for 4 seconds while keeping your left nostril closed.
9. Now release your left nostril and exhale completely through it.
Count to 4 as you breathe out.
10. Great! You’ve completed a breath cycle.
Now you just need to repeat it for a few more cycles.
After a few practices, your goal is to do it for 5-10 minutes without stopping.
This is how you can ease anxiety.
As you practice, remember these 3 things:
→ Focus your attention on the flow of your breath
→ Try to make your inhalations and exhalations smooth and steady.
→ After ending the practice, take a minute to stay in silence with yourself and feel the changes in your body, breath and mind.
As we know, that’s all our mind needs when we feel anxious: our presence.