This is the day
that the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice
and be glad in it.
Psalms 118: 24
Hi, Everyone I hope you’re all in good spirits this week.
Today I am going to touch on how to do a breathing exercise called, Pursed
Lip Breathing.
Before we jump into that, I’d like to touch on a subject some of us
may not think of often, and others think of often but not even realizing we are
struggling with.
Gratefulness:
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all others.” -Cicero
I want to show you why Gratitude is so important.
·
Relationships:
Spouse: A recent study shows that couples who practiced being grateful
experienced some wonderful benefits. Whether they kept a private gratitude
journal or openly expressed appreciation to their partner, the results were
heartwarming. Couples found their moods improved, and they felt more seen,
appreciated, and uplifted in their relationships.
·
Children: Studies show that expressing
gratitude around our children and for our children can have benefits such as
supporting physical and mental well-being, boosting self-esteem, enhancing
sleep quality, and create healthier bonds between parents and children.
·
One of the best ways we can teach and heal our children
with Gratitude is by practicing. Encourage
your children to notice good things even if small. In other words, there is
nothing too little to be thankful for.
·
Spiritually: Being thankful is a form of self-discipline. When
we choose (Magick) to be grateful, we become less likely encourage dark
energies (Magick) like jealousy, or grumbling, or that constant nagging habit I
call, “Auto Thoughts”.
If we are not careful, we can get into the habit of lying to ourselves, “oh
yes, I’m grateful! mumble mumble - I hate doing these dishes, why cant he or
she ever do this or that, how did she get all of... Etc”.
As we practice Gratitude in all aspects of our
lives (when was the last time you were grateful for a hot shower, a roll of toilet
paper, your family?) we also strengthen our relationship with the Divine and strengthen
our own self, becoming more dignified, genuine and content.
Pursed Lip
Breathing Exercise:
Relax your body, neck, and shoulder.
Breathe in (inhale) slowly through your nose for a count of 2 or 3 slowly,
steadily with your mouth closed (if possible).
As you purse (pucker) your lips as though you’re going to whistle or
blow a kiss, exhale, count to 4 or 5, slowly, steadily exhale.
Repeat as often as you feel comfortable. 10-20 minute sessions can aid in inner
healing, self-awareness, helping us to practice Gratitude.
After consistent healthy practice, come the results. We do not work out 1 time for 3 minutes and
then do not repeat it and expect results. The same applies to almost anything
in life.
Make sure your exhale is always longer than your inhale.
When you use pursed lip breathing, you’ll relieve your shortness of breath,
have more control over your breathing and increase the ability to relax.
Research suggests that pursed lip breathing is beneficial for
reducing anxiety and increasing relaxation and metaphysical practitioners
report spiritual benefits.
Here is a list of some of the known benefits of Gratefulness:
- Gratitude
makes you appreciate the value of something, and when you appreciate the
value of something, you extract more benefits from it; you’re less likely
to take it for granted.
- Studies
found if you are grateful, you are less resentful towards someone who has
something you don’t have.
- Gratitude
helps you recover more quickly from stress, adversity and trauma by
helping you interpret negative events. It has
been found to give you a perspective to help guard against post-traumatic
stress and lasting anxiety.
- People who
are grateful tend to be more helpful and empathic, more spiritual and
religious, more forgiving, and less materialistic than others who are less
predisposed to gratefulness.
- Gratitude
increases your sense of self-worth.
- People who
are thankful demonstrate on tests huge increases in their happiness
scores.
- Gratitude
can improve relationships. Gratitude makes us nicer, more trusting, more
social, and more appreciative. As a result, it helps us make more friends,
deepen our existing relationships, and improve our marriage.
- People who
practice gratitude consistently report benefits such as stronger immune
systems and lower blood pressure; higher levels of positive emotions; more
joy, optimism, and happiness; act with more generosity and compassion; and
feel less lonely and isolated.
- Keeping a
gratitude journal resulted in several studies in more and better quality
of sleep.
- Gratitude
reduces feelings of envy, makes our memories happier, lets us experience
good feelings, and helps us bounce back from stress.
Id love to hear if any of you try amping up your gratefulness power
this week or give pursed lip breathing a shot!
Also any struggles you’re having in pursuing these avenues.
Love & Truth
-Lori Wayfair
