I LOVE the dopamine hits of accomplishment. Social media and the modern world give us constant hits, making us all addicts to instant satisfaction. The more we get it, the more we crave it. AND right now one of my biggest learnings is that some of the greatest rewards, the things we are most working towards, take time.

If we keep chasing the quick results and every itch, we deny ourselves something deeper. To truly grow, we must be willing and ready to keep showing up, one breath at a time, with an open heart and dedicated mind.

Yoga sutra 1.1 states, “Now, yoga”— currently for me this is unfolding to mean that the practice of yoga is now — in this moment, and in every moment that follows. We cannot accomplish anything without practice, so each moment is an opportunity to practice. And through the full attention and full faith that the practice requires, we come to realize that the wholeness which we seek, is every present in the air that we breathe.

So when the mind feels like a never-ending itch, craving that next dopamine hit, don’t quit, sit with it.

 1.1 Atha yoganusasanam

Now, Yoga.

Now, the instruction of yoga begins. We must practice in order to experience yoga, wholeness, oneness.

The inside of an anxious mind feels like accidentally hosting a high school party.

Lots of loud noise, frivolous drama, and someone just had sex in your parent’s bedroom.

The best way to shut it down is to turn the music off. 

The music stops and the room gets quiet. People don't know what to do with silence. 

They have attention now. They didn’t want to be heard. They just wanted to shout. And with the music down, they get self-conscious about being loud.

Turn the music down. 

And step to the side. Watch the people, the drama, the discomfort that arises with the attention and honesty that quiet requires.

Watch as they slowly look around, unsure of what to do. Sit back, be still, and observe. You are not kicking anyone out— you are holding space for their voices to be heard.

Maybe a few come to share what is on their minds. Give them some attention, some compassion, meet their needs and they will leave. While the others will scramble out on their own, looking for another place to continue shouting into space.

Turn the music down and breathe.

When the mind feels anxious, like a high school party, the breath gives us the tool to turn the music off in our mind. No longer enabling the unhealthy coping mechanisms of high school drama— the breath slows things down and brings attention to the core of what is there. 

Those who can’t handle actual attention, those who are there just because they have fun stirring stuff up, will leave. And then, you can have a conversation with the few left at the party and give them what they need. 

The next time your mind feels like a high school party, breathe. 

The experience of anxiety has a wide range and is different for everyone. This is a reflection on what it feels like for me most recently and how the breath has supported my experience— this is not a cure-all. This is one small step and below is a brief breath practice to try.

Have you heard of companies offering yoga and/or mindfulness classes at work and wondered why? You might be surprised by how essential these classes can be to support the mental and physical health of employees, especially during COVID-19.

According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of workers feel stressed on the job and half of them say they need help learning how to manage stress. This statement came before COVID-19, so stress levels are much higher now as employees try to work at home in the midst of a crisis.

So, what impact is stress having on your body and mind?

Stress is our body’s biological response to a threat or challenge. Stress activates our fight or flight response and mobilizes our sympathetic nervous system.

In the short term, this can help us avoid a challenge, gives us an energy boost, and can increase our concentration. However, if the stressor remains and our body continues to have a stress response over an extended period of time it can be detrimental to our mental and physical health.

Symptoms of Chronic Stress:

• Weakened immune system

• High blood pressure

• Chronic pain

• Fatigue & trouble sleeping

• Headaches

• Digestive issues

• Over or under eating

• Shrinks the prefrontal cortex (difficulty concentrating and making decisions and decreased ability to deal with stress)

So, how can we better manage our stress levels when a threat or challenge remains for an extended period of time, such as during COVID-19? The key is giving our bodies breaks by balancing out our response to stress. Mindfulness can help.

Impacts of Mindfulness:

• Increases energy levels

• Improves sleep quality

• Increases self-awareness and self-regulation

• Decreases stress and anxiety

• Lowers blood pressure

• Impacts the brain’s neuroplasticity (increases memory, cognitive skills, and ability to deal with stress)

When we practice mindfulness and mindful movement (such as yoga) we learn how to balance our stress response and increase our ability to manage stress.

Mindfulness practices can counter balance our body’s response to stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (known for “rest and digest”) decreasing our heart rate, relaxing the muscles, and creating a sense of calm in the body and mind.

The more we practice, the more we benefit, and the more able we are to apply these stress management tools to any stressor we face.

Support the mental and physical health of your employees during COVID-19 by offering virtual wellness sessions. These skills empower employees and companies to manage the challenges we face. For more information email us!