Hey Everybody! This is Karen from Wellness Works NW. I love this time of year! We get all excited, we’ve got presents to get, gotta wrap presents, should we do it online…so much is going on! Now we are at the point that we don’t know what to do. We got all wound up so now we’ve got to try to relax. Just take it easy.
When I was in the military we would get on the firing range and we would always be told told, relax before you are fire it, relax because that helps control your breathing and get the right shot pocket. So that is what I want you guys to focus on a little bit today. Relaxation.
You have to let your thoughts kind of relax a little bit. Breathing is really very important. The more you relax, the better your blood pressure is going to be, the better your breathing is going to be. It is going to just calm things down so you are not so stressed. When you see people in the grocery store and they are out of control. When you feel yourself going over the edge, just breathe in and relax. Believe me. It works. I know it takes practice but keep trying. When you feel out of control, step back from the situation and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth and then reply. I guarantee you, your response will be better.
It is a good idea to take inventory of what has happened through the year and what you want to accomplish for the coming year. Right now you want to be present; be in the now. Remember your breathing and when you feel yourself getting upset, a lot of us have Fitbits, and mine gets going along with my heart rate and then it is time to relax. You can only control yourself. Maybe you can even slow your steps down in order to take it easy and relax. Its ok to do that right now.
Now you are relaxing, but somehow you must have known I was going to tell you to Move It! Move It! So I am going to grab a couple of hand weights. You can grab milk cartons or whatever you might have. You want to stand with your feet together and we are going to do a few Wide Shoulder Lifts. Tilt your upper body forward just a bit and bring your hands together in front of you, close to your torso and then lift them up and out to the side and back. Boom! Take your time. Bring your weights back down slowly to your starting position and repeat. Don’t forget to breathe. This is really good for your shoulders. A lot of time we are carrying a lot of tension in our shoulders so this is going to help you. Do about 10 of those.
Next we are going to the Narrow Shoulder Lifts so we get right in there. From the same position as before, start with your weights in front of you, but not completely touching each other, then slowly swing your weights straight back. You are getting that blood moving and you’re making sure those muscles around your shoulders are actually moving too.
Next you are going start with your feet a little apart, with your weights down near your abdomen and push that puppy up with your right arm, straight up. Then slowly down. Repeat with your left arm. Go nice and easy to release that stress from your shoulders with a few Shoulder Lifts. WooHoo! Slow it down for a bit.
I know you can do these things. Its really good for you to be present now. Just take your time and focus on now. I am sending all kinds of prayers and positive vibes. See you soon!
Talk to me at karen@wellnessworksnw.com.
If you need any help just to our website at WellnessWorksNW.com. Our website has all kinds of great information that will help you.
#KeepMoving #WellnessWorks #WootWoot
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Karen G. Clemenson is not a doctor or a scientist. She is a real person that eats too much sometimes and misses her workout on occasion but is mindful of her path toward wellness, all the time. Karen understands that your physical wellness does not begin and end with your membership to a local gym. She knows that weight loss management begins with steps; some small and some large. These steps include diet, physical activity and retraining of the thoughts and habits that keep you from being successful on your path toward wellness.
