Right now your body is probably in fight or flight mode as it senses a threat.
The physical response to your mind's thoughts could be making you feel anxious,
Tense,
Out of control,
Irritable,
Breathless or overwhelmed.
It is now time for you to take control of your thoughts.
We will do this in three stages.
First with breath control,
Then by diverting your attention and finally by repeating and affirmation.
Place one hand on your heart and the other hand on your abdomen.
With a hundred percent of your focus purely on the feeling of the breath traveling in and out of your body through your nose.
Fill up the abdomen then the chest with a deep cleansing breath counting to six as you inhale.
Inhale in reverse emptying the chest then the abdomen counting to six fully exhaling.
Now begin to inhale and exhale in the same way but using a count of seven.
Inhale for seven.
Exhale for seven.
Again only if it's comfortable.
Begin to breathe using a count of eight seeing if you can hold it for just a couple of seconds before the exhale.
Continue absorbing the feeling of breath control.
We're slowing everything down.
Notice your heart rate slowing as the breath slows down.
Mindful breathing is the single best tool you have within you to gain control of your inner world and bring in clarity and perspective during times of stress.
So the stress response is a natural and normal occurrence in your body but your mind often tells you that a situation is a lot worse than it really is and this causes the natural stress response to go into overdrive.
Whatever it is that has made you feel so stressed it's not as threatening as your mind is telling you.
It is now time for you to take control of your thoughts.
In this very moment think about what you have got to be grateful for.
Think of the first three things that come to mind and divert your attention to how those things make you feel.
Loved,
Safe,
Comforted,
Content,
Joyful.
Whatever those feelings are hold onto them and seal them into your heart on each in-breath.
Let's finish by repeating this positive affirmation three times.
Right now in this very moment everything is okay.
I am okay.
Right now in this very moment everything is okay.
I am okay.
Right now in this very moment everything is okay.
I am okay.