Well Habits Domain: Body
Skill: Breathe
Select 1 - 3 strategies you may want to try on from the list below
1. Deep Breathing 4-7-8 Exercise
Deep breathing is like a natural calming drug for the nervous system, which becomes more and more powerful as you develop it. You can practise deep breathing anytime, anywhere and in any position. One approach is called the 4-7-8 exercise. This has been described by Dr. Andrew Weil. He suggests it is not unusual to feel a little lightheaded when you first breathe this way. If this happens, just start to breathe normally. Do not do more than four breaths at one time for the first month of practice. Later, if you wish, you can extend it to eight breaths, Dr. Weil suggests.
2. Toxic-Free Breathing
This Toxic Free Well Habit is to simply avoid exposure to chemicals that may be toxic. There are some simple ways you can detox your home. Gather together things in your home with toxic smells that you should be careful not to breathe. This means you know where to gather information, understand risks, read labels to identify toxic substances and choose the natural and safer options both for your body and your home environment.
3. Research
Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) is an online consumer health education org which shares information about the ingredients and safety of 70,000 skin and beauty products via the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
4. House Cleaning Products
Research is showing the impact of cleaning chemicals on the lungs of people who clean, as well as increased rates of asthma. Talk to your family about buying earth safe products.
5. Avoid Toxic Sprays
Fumes from chemicals, cleaning products, bleach or toxic substances, especially when sprayed, can irritate your nose, throat, skin and eyes. Avoid toxic chemical cleaning products or at least don’t use sprays and protect your skin with gloves.
6. Natural Hygiene Products
A simple way to avoid daily chemical exposure is to use natural hair products, deodorants, toothpaste and soaps.
7. Roll-on Deodorants
Choose deodorants made with safe natural earth minerals and plant extracts, without the use of pore-clogging Aluminium. These ingredients absorb smells and suppress odour production, whilst also soothing and balancing the skin.
8. Natural Beauty Products
Many soaps have hidden chemicals in them such as synthetic chemicals, hormone disrupters and pesticides. Watch out for soaps that are labelled ‘antibacterial’ on the label. Choose soaps that are made of natural products such as coconut oil and olive ail and are fragrance free.
9. Get Some Fresh Air
Stuffy rooms bring about stuffy minds - so make sure to open your window, breathe in the fresh air or go for a short walk outside. Be mindful about what you hear, see and feel. This is a wonderful way to feel refreshed and reconnected with nature.
10. Aromatherapy
Learn how to use essential oils safely as perfumes. Add a candle or diffuser to your room perhaps.
11. Meditation Time & Space
It is a good idea to start with small steps so try just 3 minutes each day. Perhaps you and your peer could do a two week Meditation Challenge together? Keep notes in your journal and see if you can find a free meditation app to download.
Create a comfortable space for yourself with soft pillows or a blanket so you feel you have somewhere special to go when you want to deep breathe and clam down.
12. Square Breathing
Try out the square breathing technique. Write how it makes you feel or video yourself practising the square breathing technique for 2 minutes with your eyes closed.