H
ow do you get through the fun, the stress, and the FOOD without losing your cool, gaining weight or going into debt?
My client’s granddaughter has the answer! She’s just a tiny thing, and when she sees grandma stressing she knows just what to say!
“Breathe”
Yes, it can be that simple.
Remember the old saying about counting to 10? During the count you have to breathe, and when you do you are signaling your amygdala and hippocampus that you are safe. Deep breathing pulls on the Vagus nerve and reduces pain. Breathing brings more oxygen into your body and actually changes the color of your blood to a beautiful healthy red!
When we get stressed and stop breathing or take shallow breaths, the body goes into Fight Flight or Freeze mode. The blood flow literally goes to the mid-brain (what some people call the croc brain or lizard brain) and AWAY from the frontal cortex – that part where you do all your thinking and decision making! No wonder it’s hard to think your way out of a problem when you are stressed!
With a few deep breaths, you move that blood and you are operating in your thinking brain. You can make better decisions – like do I need to buy those bright shiny things or is something else driving the urge. Or, do I really want to wolf down this plate of Christmas fudge, or would I enjoy it more if I eat it slowly and savor the flavor?
So the next time you get stressed, or feel compelled to spend, spend, spend or eat, eat, eat, take a minute to breathe! Step out of that lizard brain and let your marvelous mind remind you that you are safe, all is well, and you can enjoy this moment, this bit of food, and the people around you (yes, even the toddler lustily making her wishes and frustrations known!) with awareness and gratitude for all that IS going right!
If you want more training on how to navigate the holidays without gaining weight or overspending, click here!