Glow Insider: Discover Peace and Focus with Box Breathing

Breathe Light, Stress Light: 

In our fast-paced world, managing stress and maintaining focus are more crucial than ever. And believe it or not, the key could lie in how you breathe. Let's delve into a simple yet powerful technique known as box breathing, an exercise that can significantly impact your stress levels and sharpen your focus.

Box Breathing, Step-by-Step:

• Find a Quiet Spot: Begin by finding a comfortable, quiet place where you can sit or lie down undisturbed.
• Inhale Slowly: Start by slowly inhaling through your nose, counting to four. As you do this, focus on filling your belly first and then your chest, allowing your diaphragm to expand.
• Hold Your Breath: Once you've inhaled fully, hold your breath for another count of four. This pause is key in the box breathing method.
• Exhale Gradually: Now, gently exhale through your mouth for a count of four, feeling the belly and chest deflating.
• Pause Again: After exhaling, hold your breath once more for a count of four before beginning the next inhalation.
• Repeat: Continue this pattern for several minutes. Inhale, hold, exhale, hold – each for a count of four, creating a ‘box’ of breath.

This technique, by encouraging full and mindful breathing, not only helps in reducing stress but also aids in calming the mind, enhancing concentration, and even regulating the body's response to stress. Integrating box breathing into your daily routine, even for just a few minutes a day, can make a profound difference in your overall well-being.

Give it a try and observe how these small steps can lead to significant changes in your day-to-day life. Breathe right, and light up your body's inner glow!

1. Gift Experiences, Not Things: Instead of physical gifts, consider giving experiences that create memories, like tickets to a concert, a cooking class, or a pass to a national park. These gifts tend to hold more meaning and offer joy without contributing to clutter.

2. Holiday Decor with Intention: Decorate with fewer items, choosing meaningful pieces that really speak to the spirit of the holiday for you and your family. This could mean a single beautiful wreath or a carefully chosen ornament that has been in your family for generations, rather than boxes of decorations that feel overwhelming to put up and take down.  Easier said than done, I know!  We just pulled out 10 boxes of Christmas decor this year. We definitely want to simplify before packing it back up in January.

3. Mindful Shopping: If you do shop for gifts, be intentional. Make a list of what you need before you start, and stick to it. This helps prevent impulse buys and ensures that what you purchase aligns with your values and the values of those you’re gifting to.  Listen, I'm writing this half for you and half as a reminder for me. I'm with you! 😅

By incorporating minimalism into our holiday season, we can reduce stress, increase our enjoyment of the season, and help ourselves and our families focus on what's truly important.