Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Wellness Wisdom! I’d like to especially extend greetings to our new subscribers with gratitude that you’ve joined our community of Wellness Seekers.
Each week we explore the process of following our paths toward “Authentic Wellness”: Essentially this is an ongoing experience of growing into a place of balance and renewal which also honors our unique perspective and spirit.
I emphasize emotional, relational and spiritual well-being, with the awareness that when these dimensions of wellness are supported, the other aspects of well-being (such as physical health, our relationship with food, etc.) tend to follow more naturally. We inspire ourselves and feel pulled toward a place of balance; we are no longer “pushing” ourselves.
Today’s issue explores the basic but often overlooked wellness dimension of breathing and its place within authentic wellness.
If you find this newsletter helpful and supportive, please share it with your friends and colleagues. Simply forward this email and invite them to subscribe. Thank you for passing it on! I grow through your recommendations and I’m grateful for it.
What’s New from Centered Living
In late fall/early winter I’ll be offering a complimentary Teleclass to introduce you to the concept of Authentic Wellness. Have you participated in a Teleclass? If so, you know this is a fun and convenient way to connect to folks all over the globe! If you haven’t tried a Teleclass, this is the perfect introduction and invitation.
Simply send a blank email to lori.boothroyd-273698@autocontactor.com (you don’t need to fill in any details) and your interest in this Teleclass will be registered! There is no cost and absolutely no obligations. This is a gift from me to my readers. Stay tuned for more details.
Wellness Wisdom Feature Article
Breathing and Authentic Wellness
Obviously, whether we’re thinking about it or not, we’re always breathing. Our breath literally is Life. The oxygen supplied through breathing provides the energy needed to nourish every cell of our body. It is a miraculous process, a synchronous exchange between our bodies and the outside world.
But our breathing can also be consciously used to reduce stress, clear our mind, shift our moods and heal. The way we choose to use our breath each day is a foundational aspect of our well-being. So simple and yet so often overlooked.
Take just a moment right now and notice your breathing. Close your eyes if it helps you to focus…
What did you notice? Does your breath move into your chest or your belly? Are you taking shallow and short breaths? Did you move into slower, deeper breaths? How did you feel?
Taking a short breathing break is nothing short of transformational. Here is a breathing routine to try this week:
- Choose one time each day when you will commit to conscious breathing. Keep it very simple and practical. It can be on your commute, when you’re in the shower, as you fall asleep at night, whenever, wherever.
- First, exhale deeply, pushing out gently with your belly.
- Then, inhale slowly and gently and notice your abdomen expanding.
- Continue to inhale and notice your upper body lifting.
- Pause briefly at the top of your inhalation; don’t hold your breath.
- Exhale – slowly and gently. We tend to exhale very quickly when we take a deep breath and this only excites our system. Slowly and gently release your breath, notice your upper body sink downward, your belly contract.
- Repeat as many breathing cycles as you wish.
Notice how you feel afterward. Simply notice and be mindful of the shifts.
Conscious breathing allows us to release tension in the body, elevate our mood, become mindful and aware of the here-and-now and shift our energy from rest to activity, then back to rest again.
Become familiar with your breathing this week – how can you use your conscious breath to better support your well-being?
Breathe… and know all is well.
Personal Reflections
As you probably know from reading last week’s newsletter, I reflect often on self-responsibility. On a lighter but no less important note, I’d like to share with you a place in my life where I haven’t been accepting responsibility.
These are our gorgeous cats, Raja and Needy. As you can see from these glamour shots, they are a bit, shall we say, voluptuous. Rescued as strays over a dozen years ago, they were dangerously underweight. Our vet suggested feeding them whatever they would eat (including ice cream) to put on a few extra pounds. Raja would gobble up anything I dropped on the kitchen floor (including lettuce). It was pathetic; I was so thankful I could rescue them.
Now, years later, I recently experienced a new veterinary intervention. My vet has tactfully pointed out that our cats are obese and will begin to suffer the health consequences. I thought – how can this be? I’m a wellness psychologist and coach, I shower our cats with love. How could the ball have dropped here? When I explored this a bit further, I was aware of how incongruent my values were with my behavior. The bottom line was, in spite of my love for our cats and my dedication to wellness principles, I have been overfeeding them. Yikes! I accepted self-responsibility as a loving companion to our cats and vowed to make some changes.
It hasn’t been easy! Those of you with cats understand how resistant they are to change. It has been nearly a month now and I thankfully have a positive report. After the initial feline snit passed (without me giving in), Raja and Needy have increased energy, are more playful and don’t mind eating less food one bit! They are slowly shedding the excess weight. Aside from the rewards of watching them thrive, I feel so good knowing that I am embodying and behaving in harmony with my convictions and values. It was a powerful, albeit furry lesson for me.
To the harmony within each of you,
Lori
About Lori
Dr. Lori Boothroyd is known as the “Coaching Psychologist”. She has served her clients and students well over the years through integrating her knowledge from earning a Ph.D. in psychology, with her advanced training in coaching and wellness psychology. Appreciated for her warmth and down-to-earth style as much as her expertise, Lori is a dynamic speaker, author and coach. She lives in Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, Dr. Gregory Boothroyd. Together they authored the book “Going Home: A Positive Emotional Guide to Promote Life Generating Behaviors”.
For a complimentary coaching consult, to inquire about programs or to ask any questions, please email: lori@loriboothroyd.com
