Life itself has its own turbulent season; we all have our own turbulent season. The times when we feel uncomfortable, unsettled and sometimes a little scared of what will come next.
Anything from career challenges, financial difficulties, relationship conflicts, health concerns, academic pressure, or major life transitions and now AI. All these external factors that can shake and threaten our state of calmness. Things that can come in and force us to make changes in the way that we do things. While turbulence may make the journey more difficult, it does not necessarily mean you are headed in the wrong direction.
You may not feel very positive when these times occur in life and that is ok. Awareness is a critical life skill that can help you through tough times. Be aware of the situation and how you feel, be aware that you cannot change these external factors that come in a shake your state of calmness and also make yourself aware that you cannot change those external factors that come towards you but can only change how you respond to it.
Accepting the reality of the situation, focusing on what you can control, and taking one step at a time can help you regain a sense of stability.
One practice I have truly embraced in my daily life is the 4-7-8 breathing method. The first time I tried it, I was with a friend, dealing with some frustrating news that left me feeling completely stuck. My friend calmly guided me through the steps. Honestly, I didn't think much of it at the time—I figured it was just another "new age" trend. I went along with it just to try it, then immediately moved on to the rest of my busy schedule. It reminded me of yoga, a habit I had dropped years ago as life became more hectic. While I know yoga is great, I always found it a bit too slow for my pace.
Later on, I was hit with an emotional curveball that completely shook my world. This time, I was entirely alone. In that moment of panic, I thought, what do I have to lose? So, I tried the breathing method again. While it didn't magically solve the problem in front of me, it brought me to a sudden state of calm. It gave me the mental space to refocus and figure out how to tackle the issue effectively. From that moment on, I was a true believer.
The 4-7-8 breathing method is a relaxation technique developed and popularized by Andrew Weil. It is designed to slow your breathing and may help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and make it easier to fall asleep.
To use the 4-7-8 technique, focus on the following breathing pattern:
- Emptying the lungs of air
- Breathing in quietly through the nose for 4 seconds
- Holding the breath for a count of 7 seconds
- Exhaling forcefully through the mouth, pursing the lips, and making a “whoosh” sound for 8 seconds
- Repeating the cycle up to 4 times
In closing, I’m not saying this method is a magic fix that works the exact same way for everyone. But if you ever find yourself emotionally overwhelmed, trying to quiet a racing heart, why not give it a shot? You might just become a believer, too.
Happy Summer everyone.
