Don't forget to breathe

With the current pandemic and the heroic efforts of everyone caring for those infected, mechanical ventilators have become household knowledge. Being healthy, being able to breathe is a unique gift. Even more tragic is the death of those who are restricted from breathing just because of their skin color.

COVID-19 creates additional stress to the stress level we already have and one of the best ways to deal with unhealthy stress is to breathe. We don't know how long it will take until we have medication and immunization. So don't hold your breath.

I recently listened to a presentation by a coach on stress management. It was a very good presentation, yet one sentence made me think(and I paraphrase): If conscious breathing reminds you too much of meditation, there are other ways of dealing with stress. Let's stop right here and take a deep breath. And if it does? Meditation is nothing bad, in fact it may be the best way to deal with stress and the current situation we're in. I'll write more about that.

Let me invite you to an exercise that requires no special equipment, can be done everywhere, and is amazingly effective in stressful situations. You man (not yet) meditate (you should but that's a different story) – but take up the exercise of focussing on your breath without controlling or changing it. Stop three times a day (before starting work, at noon, and before dinner) and stop all activities and just breathe quietly for a minute. You can meditate, or just quietly sit wherever you are or step outside. You will notice amazing changes in the way you deal with stress.

And don't forget to breathe.

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