New Year’s is often the time for people making changes in their lives. While we start the year with good intentions to exercise more or eat healthier, by the end of January or February many of us are discouraged, give up and resume our unhealthy habits.
My intention for you and myself this year is to offer small bite-size changes you can make in your life to help you stress less and live better in 2018. When I was in my early adulthood, there was a movie What About Bob? in which Bill Murray played a man with severe anxiety determined to overcome it. He did this by taking “baby steps” to achieve his goals like getting on the bus or going sailing. By the end of the movie, he was anxiety-free and in love with his life.
Although in real life we don’t change so much so soon, Murray’s taking “baby steps” is a good example for us to follow. So, here’s where you can begin. This week when you start worrying or feeling stressed, stop, close your eyes, take 3 deep breaths and give your mind and body a chance to reset. Its’ that simple. You can also practice when you’re stopped at a stoplight or waiting for your kids in carpool line. If 3 breaths isn’t enough, you can go for 10 deep breaths but don’t exceed that.
Remember, to stress less and live better we have to commit ourselves to consistent attainable goals. As they say “The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.”
If you want to take the deep breathing one step further, click here for the link to my professionally guided Comfort Stone exercise. To order a copy of my newest book, Stress Less Live Better: Five Simple Steps to Ease Anxiety, Worry and Self-Criticism, click here.
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