Photo by Fabian Møller on Unsplash

This week I had an interesting realisation during a random, ordinary daily moment. Even though it was a simple request while waiting for lunch I felt pressured. After struggling for some minutes and feeling anxious about my responses I realised I needed something else. I needed to eat lunch first. I was hungry, I was anxious and I was emotional. For me (and who I’m with), that is not a good combination, even for a simple request.

When do you need breathing space?

• In between tasks.
• At a crossroads during a task.
• At an important decision time.
• Requests for something that doesn’t work for you.
• When the world is closing in on you.
• Overwhelmed with too much to do.
• When you’re tired.
• When you’re hungry.
• When you least expect it.

(BTW – my answers were easier and I was a much nicer person to deal with, when I’d finished my lunch.)

Have you heard of the releasing yawn? It’s just the biggest yawn, made with all the noises that go with it. (My friends hate it when I do it!) This yawn is a release of emotional energy. I first experienced it after a chiropractic adjustment and the energy in my body was flowing again. I experience it when I’ve done a focused period of work, when I’m overwhelmed with information and need time to process it and after a heavy time of crying and I’m feeling calmer again. It usually lasts for only a few minutes. I have come to honour that I need to do this until it’s done (sorry friends! – and I’ll leave the room and come back when I’m done!).

What do you do to give yourself breathing space?

• Take a break.
• Do a few minutes of deep breathing.
• Stretch, move, exercise.
• Do something different.
• Brainstorm a new idea.
• Chat to a friend.
• Ask for time.
• Nourish yourself.

When you acknowledge your triggers for breathing space, whether the timing makes sense or not, that is the time to deal with them. Do what you need to do to get your breathing space (and it’s a very personal option), whether it makes sense or not, – honour that and do it! It’s your breathing space and it will bring you back to centre.

Tired of others telling you what is true for you is somehow wrong? Contact me to find out how partnering with a life coach can help you honour what it is you need to thrive.