Feeling overwhelmed and stressed can be a common experience for many of us. Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano suggests that taking a moment to intentionally reset our nervous system can be beneficial for our mental and emotional health.

Slowing Down

Feliciano recommends slowing down physically, such as taking a few intentionally slow, deep breaths or practicing tai chi-inspired movements. She also suggests incorporating moments of slow ritual into our daily routine, like reading a chapter of a book every morning or watching the sunset each night.

When we’re in a state of constant busyness, our body produces excess adrenaline, which can leave us feeling restless and uncomfortable even when we have a moment to rest. Feliciano explains that taking time to intentionally reset our body and mind by slowing down can help to counteract this effect.

A simple slow breathing exercise can be done during transition periods, such as when we first get home from work or during the day when we notice anxiety is picking up. Feliciano suggests that this exercise can start to have an effect within one minute and can help to practice mindfulness, particularly in moments of awe or gratitude.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.