| Crocheter's Health Tips by Patricia Howard |
| Are you feeling a little stressed out? Are you having trouble relaxing so that you can get into your current crochet project? Do you just need a time-out? Why not try a simple breathing exercise? Breathing exercises help to lower your blood pressure and reduce the amounts of stress hormones in your body. Breathing exercises help to bring focus and clarity to your thoughts. Breathing slowly and deeply tells your body that it's time to relax. Try this simple exercise: While keeping your hand on your stomach, take a deep breath in through your nose. Breathe in only as much as you feel comfortable doing. Hold the breath for just a few seconds, then release it through your mouth. Try not to hold your breath too long, but breathe as you would naturally at rest. Concentrate on your had rising and falling as you breathe. Try to inhale completely into your abdomen, filling your lungs. Release slowly, making sure to exhale the same amount of air that you inhaled. A good way to time this exercise is by counting to 5 for each step. Inhale ... one, two, three, four, five. Try to do this for total of 5 breaths. If this seems too long for you, try the count of 4. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, just stop and breathe normally. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, stop. You might be keeping your breaths too shallow. Continue, when you feel comfortable again. You can do this exercise just where you are sitting, getting ready to start on your newest wip. You can also try while lying on your back in bed or even standing. Try this whenever you feel stressed out or under pressure. You can even try it if you are having trouble sleeping. You'll feel the benefits immediately. |