Breathing techniques are really handy to have in your tool box - they're great to use when you’re feeling anxious, worried or tense and just need something to calm and relax yourself, to slooooooow your breathing down, and a really great tool to use when your head is buzzing - you know those nights when thoughts just go round and round in your head so fast you can’t even pin one down and you feel so tired but your brain feels super wired?
This particular breathing technique is really easy to do, and as well as being great for you it's perfect to share with your little ones. I often set this as a bit of homework for my clients, it's the perfect way to extend a Reflexology, Bowen Treatment, Reiki session of Holistic Facial beyond the treatment beyond the treatment room.
What to do
Take your first finger and as you breathe in move it towards your thumb - touching the two together at the end of your breath. Then as you breathe out you move the finger away. On the next in-breath move your second finger towards your thumb, touching the two together at the end of the breathe, moving it away as you breathe out.
Now repeat this for your third, fourth and little finger, and then work backwards - touching your little finger back to your thumb as your breathe in, releasing it as you breathe out, touching your fourth finger to your thumb as your breathe in and so on and so on.
I've done a little video on how the technique works which you can view on my YouTube channel.
Why it works
It works on three levels:
As a distraction
By focussing on the receptive action of the breathing technique this takes your mind away from the anxiety, tension, worry, endless thoughts, and focusses it on the task in hand - which is to touch each finger in turn to your thumb.
As a way to slow your breathing down to a more regular pattern
You may not realise it, but when you are anxious or you are overwhelmed with thoughts, very often your breathing can become shallower and more erratic. The repetitive action of this technique brings about a rhythm that can stabilise your breathing and slooooow it down - helping your mind and body to feel calmer and more relaxed.
As an anchor
The more you practice this the more you will automatically recognise this action as something that calms and soothes.
How often to use it
During the day you can do this for as long as you need to, at night I tend to find I just naturally fall asleep after a couple of rounds.
Drop me a line and let me know if you've found this useful - and feel free to share far and wide!
Much love, Sarah