Happy Relaxing

Because I live on a lake, on the edge of a forest,  along with my sweet Rez-dog and my naughty kitty, with seagulls, eagles, and deer for my closest neighbors, and lovely people for my nearest human neighbors, you might think that I'd be living a stress-free life!  But, apparently, stress lives on the lake, too!  For example, I was about to start writing this post when I looked over to reach for my fresh cup of coffee.  Somehow, getting back into bed, I'd bumped my side table and sloshed coffee onto my new journal!   A minor event, but still, it was a bit of stress showing up in my lovely, brand new day.

This morning I was able to deal with this mishap, and move on.  But I've realized that sometimes I let the leftovers of a stressful moment hang around, especially the feelings, and especially fear and anger.  

This is where being happy curious comes in!  The human nervous system has two divisions: 

one part prompts us to survive (the stress response), and another part prompts us to relax (the rest-digest response).   Interestingly, only one of these parts can be activated at a time.

I find that so helpful in explaining my stressful experiences and why they sometimes linger in the air, like the smell of fried-fish in a cabin!  It's simple: I can only experience one thing at a time: either stress or relaxation.  

I know that I can't avoid all stress--coffee does spill after all!  But I can be mindful of how I respond to stress.

1. I can continue to learn about stress.

2. I can be aware of my feelings around a stressful experience or person in the moment, and afterwards.

3. I can regulate my nervous system after experiencing stress with the mindful relaxation practice described next.

A Happy-Curious Experiment: 

This experiment comes from my yoga practice.  If you want to try it, you might read through these steps a couple of times before you do this experiment.

The Preparation:

* Get into a comfortable position.  I suggest lying down on your back, on a supportive surface while resting your legs over a cushion or rolled up blanket (another option is to lie on your side).  Your head and neck are also in line with your spine, or you might use a folded towel for a small, flat "pillow."  Adjust your position until you are comfortable.

*Nourish relaxation by mindfully softening the muscles throughout your body.  

*Bring a bit more awareness to your abdomen/belly.  

The Practice:

*On your inhale allow your abdomen/belly to rise or stick out, and to expand a bit.  This is a natural breath, not a big breath, or even a "deep" breath.  Just a natural, effortless breath.

*As your exhalation happens, allow your belly to move back to its resting position.

*Explore this practice for a few minutes. 

Lastly, this is a practice.  For some of us, this method of relaxation may take some time to feel comfortable or natural.  So be kind to your self as you practice nourishing relaxation by physically relaxing along with belly breathing.

And know that you'll not only be nourishing relaxation, you'll be nourishing happiness.

Happy Relaxing,

    Nancy ☕

Here I am focusing on my fresh cup of coffee.