Monday Morning SOS: Three Breaths to Calm Your Nervous System

Hey there, I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here with me today. You know, it's early Monday morning on the twentieth of July, and I have a hunch that your nervous system might be sending out some SOS signals. Maybe you woke up thinking about that presentation, or the inbox waiting for you, or just the general hum of everything that needs doing. So before you dive into your day, let's pause together, shall we? Just for the next few minutes, this space is yours. Let's start by finding a comfortable seat, whether that's on a cushion, a chair, or even propped up in bed. Feet flat if you can. Now, I want you to notice something I call the three anchors. Feel your seat supporting you, your feet meeting the ground, your back finding stability. You're being held right now, literally and figuratively. Just notice that for a moment. Here's where we're going to work some real magic. We're going to try what I call the five count exhale. It's simple, but it's the mindfulness equivalent of telling your nervous system, hey, we're safe now. Take a breath in through your nose for a count of four, nice and easy, like you're smelling fresh bread cooling on a windowsill. Then exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of five, like you're gently fogging a mirror. Do that again. In for four, out for five. Beautiful. Now let's stay with this. Don't force anything. As you breathe, I want you to imagine stress like clouds passing through the sky of your mind. You're not trying to stop the clouds. They just get to drift by. Your breath is the wind. When your mind wanders, and it will, that's not failure, that's just being human. Gently guide your attention back to the sensation of breathing. Count your exhales up to ten, then start again. In for four, out for five. Keep going with me. Feel your shoulders softening. Feel your jaw relaxing. That tightness you might've been carrying, it doesn't need to live in your body today. You're choosing ease, one breath at a time. As we close, here's your superpower for the day. Whenever you feel stress creeping in, pause and do just three of these five count exhales. Three. That's it. Your nervous system will remember this moment, and it'll know you're safe. Thank you so much for joining me on Stress Relief. Your presence here matters. Please subscribe so we can walk through these moments together again and again. You've got this. For great deals today, check out https://amzn.to/47ZqpWT