It’s Teemu Freakin’ Selanne. With a mustache. Need I say more?
Go here and donate; you know you want to. I’ll even throw in bonus Teemu.
And topic 2 which I said I was gonna write about almost a week ago now. Bad, bad Brigid22.
One of my Tweeps, (and fellow wordpress blogger) @joegormally said something about the days where every little thing starts stressing you and about maintaining your center of calm. My response was Breathing, lots of breathing.
Life with chronic illness, a busy life, and a hectic job have put me in that state more than I care to admit. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve snapped at people for chewing. And those who work with me and live with me, know, you don’t want to see me tense out, don’t snap your gum. I have a tendency to get very irkable.
How do I deal with this? Because clearly, this is not a state that I can live in without eventually ending up in the psych ward or prison (kidding!) A lot of breathing, cleansing breathing.
Breathe in, breathe out, search for my center. Breathe in, breathe out, visualize the center.
It’s nice as I can do this anywhere. Multiple times a day. Although I don’t recommend doing breathing with your eyes shut while driving. In that case, visualize or pick a focal point while still maintaining focus on the road, please.
Find your mantra. Something simple, like “I am relaxed.” “I am calm,” “Return to center.” Really whatever works.
If you have time, (and are somewhere where you you can do this (again, not while you are driving!), close your eyes and visualize a comforting place, a relaxing place, a nice image. (I recommend the one at the top of this page, which is actually why I chose it). Something that puts you at peace.
Praying to God (or your higher power/deity of choice) while breathing can help as well. I’m a Marian Catholic, so my prayers are said to God or requests are made to Mary for her to intercede on my behalf. Simple prayers that can be said in one breath work best for me. “Lord, give me strength,” “Lord, give me peace,” or “Lord, guide me” are the ones I use most frequently.
Breathing technique is important. Slow, deep breaths. You can count if you want, if that helps. I was taught many, many years ago, in-two-three, out-two, three. You can go to four, you can go to five. But you want slow, deep diaphragmatic breathing. Not shallow respirations.
I like this as I can do it anywhere. I’ve got to breathe as it is, and to use breathing as relaxation/destressing really helps when the world just feels like it’s overpowering me.
