(A guest blog by our friends at Breathe Repeat)
You’ve been working your ass off, and now you’re heading into Social Media Week. It doesn’t look like you’ll be getting R and R anytime soon. Instead of heading out to Jack’s for your fourth latte of the day, why not try a little yoga instead? Don’t worry. We’re not talking about schlepping to a yoga studio and taking an hour-and-a-half class that will leave you sweaty and in desperate need of a shower. This is something that only takes three minutes, and can be done in the privacy of your own cubicle. It won’t hurt a bit. We promise.
First things first.
Uncross your legs and put your feet on the floor. Feels weird, right? Sit up a little taller. You know, like you’re proud of the work you’ve accomplished today. Take an easy breath. We here at Breathe Repeat never advocate taking “deep breaths” – no need to be an overachiever when it comes to breathing. You do enough overachieving in your morning meeting, spin class and in your efforts to take on the world. For the next few minutes, just let your belly be soft – don’t tighten it or try to suck it in – just let it be fluid and allow the breath to just come in. Then let it go. Feels good, right? Do it again. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Repeat.
Now it’s time to move your body! Place your left arm next to your desk and lean into it. Reach your right arm up in the air and as you press into your left arm, bend up and over to the left, stretching out the right side of your body. Press into your feet. Play around with it a little bit. Lean forward, lean back. Make more space for an easy breath. There is no right or wrong way! If you’re breathing mindfully, you’re doing yoga. It’s that simple!
Switch sides. Now your right arm is next to your desk and your leaning into it. Lift your left arm up and arc over to the right. Press into your feet. Inhale lean back a little. Exhale lean forward. Explore.
Notice a difference? Thought so.
Sometimes when everything goes haywire with your computer, you need to reboot, right? Consider this your own personal reset button. Sometimes you need to shut down your newsfeed for a minute, ground your feet on the floor, make some space in your body and breathe easy before revving up again.
Now, at the very least, no matter what else happens during the day, you’ll know you’ve done something for you. This will give you a great deal more patience when your computer freezes, your hotspot doesn’t work, your Friday meeting gets pushed back an hour, or no one likes your recent status update on Facebook.
You can do it.
Always,
Breathe Repeat