The Power of Intentional Breathing

This past year has offered us many opportunities to explore or renew our commitment to ways to manage stressful times. With everything going on around us, which stirs up emotions in us, it can be difficult to find our “peaceful” place. Let’ face it – good mental health is essential, and I have tools to aid me in that process. I oftentimes use mindful breathing (sometimes it is as simple as 3 deep breaths) to remind me that “right here, right now – in this present moment, EVERYTHING is okay.”  It is amazing how simple, intentional breathing transports me to a calm, peaceful place. I also use meditation, affirmations, and gratitude lists as part of my spiritual practice.

Affirmations

For the past 11 years, I have been a member of a spiritual community (Heart and Soul Center of Light), where I learned to use meditation and affirmations as tools for manifesting all of my dreams and vision for my life. It is through affirmations that I envision the life I want to create and the person I endeavor to become.

My affirmation for today: I AM willing to unconditionally love ALL aspects of me!

Gratitude Lists

I am also a member of a 12-Step community, where I first learned about gratitude lists.  When things seem monotonous, boring, or just downright difficult, and negative thoughts begin to creep in – a gratitude list is what is needed to bring me back to reality.  No matter how difficult life or a situation may seem, there is always, always something to be grateful for. Given the circumstances of the past year and the losses that many have endured, it can seem a big ask to be grateful or to even think of ANYTHING to be grateful for. However, once I begin to make a list of 5 to 10 things, my energy shifts, and my perception of the situation has changed, although the situation itself has not changed. This is another powerful tool.

My gratitude list for today

I am grateful for:

1. Breath
2. My knees
3. My eyes
4. My family
5. My friends

I continue to envision a healthy me, a healthy you, and a healthy world!

What are you grateful for?

Author Info: Pam Grimm (www.pamgfitness.com) is a certified personal trainer, a lifestyle wellness coach, and an author.  I am committed to inspiring, encouraging, motivating, and challenging women over 40 to achieve a vision of greatness, so that you can become the best version of your Self.  She is committed to challenging you to go beyond your comfort zone.  To assist me as I assist others in total wellness (mind, body, spirit), She has published two books. A book of affirmations, “#empowered: Ninety Days of Enlightenment, Encouragement and Spiritual Inspiration.” and “#empowered: A Gratitude and Affirmations Journal“