Not running as fast as Roger all the time

May 6th 1954 Roger Bannister was the first to break the four minute barrier for running the mile, as he crossed the line in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds he fell into the arms of a friend exhausted.

Today our busy lifestyles are making us move faster, think quicker and generally get things done faster. We are juggling successful careers and home life, always available with our phones at the ready and stress has become part of our lives. More and more demands are put on us all the time, fear of being made redundant and financial pressures push us harder each day. 

We cannot stop stress but it is how we respond to that part of our life that can make the difference between being totally exhausted and in danger of long term illness or being relaxed and having a good sense of well being.

After Roger's record breaking run he was exhausted but with rest he was back to running again soon after.

Relaxation is a great stress buster but often when you are too busy rushing around it is the last thing on your mind.  At work when we are busy and stressed we eventually reach a point where we are no longer being productive and then this stresses us out even more!  This is when you need to take a break, not a week off but something quite simple. Get up and move, go for a walk outside if possible and feel the sun on your back.  If you don't feel you can leave your desk try some breathing exercises.  This simple exercise only takes 3 minutes and has been proven to reverse the stress response.

Sit comfortably, close your eyes..

Simply accept yourself in this moment, nothing else matters except this moment

Slowly inhale and exhale through your nose..

Simply watch the flow of your breath

As thoughts come into your mind, refocus on your breath..

Observe your breath for 3 minutes..

Bring your attention to any sensations in your body,

Become aware of the space around you as you gently open your eyes.

Anytime throughout your day you can use this technique of focusing on your breath when you feel that you need to take a moment to relax.  When you are rushing, stop for a moment and just be here in the present. By taking short breaks to let your body rejuvenate you will be more focused. This simple technique can enhance your creativity, regain focus and sharpen your analytical thinking.  Don't be one of those people who  push on with no lunch breaks and not stopping, those are the ones who will suffer with chronic health issues and have the shortest careers due to burn out.

Just like Roger needed to rest his muscles after his efforts of running in under four minutes, you need to rest your mind and body after focused work.  Aim to take several short breaks throughout the day at least every 90 minutes to relax and rejuvenate.

If you find you enjoy this breathing technique you may be interested in Mindfulness meditation .Studies have shown that regular meditation for about 2 months can help with reducing anxiety and leave you feeling more relaxed and calm.

I run workshops in Mindfulness meditation for relaxation and stress relief and also one to one courses.

Please contact me if you are interested in learning more.  massagetherapies@virginmedia.com