Shifting your energy can seem like the only option you have is changing your environment and sometimes this is true, however not always.
When you have pent up energy, frustrated energy, feeling down energy, feeling fatigued, feeling like someone just took the wind out of your sails, there is a way for you to shift your energy without having to leave the building.
Something you can do anywhere:
Box breathing:
Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts. This is used to stay alert, keep calm, and slow down your flight, fight, and freeze response.
Find some place private for these strategies….
Shaking it out:
Literally shake it out. Jump up and down. Wiggle around. Shake your arms and legs. This movement increases your heart rate, increases your respiration rate, gets oxygen where it needs to go. It releases muscle tension. Increasing your energy temporarily and then helping you settle down and feel more grounded. This practice is evident in animals and in humans after they experience an intense event. It’s a way to release energy.
Take on a power pose:
This idea became popular with Amy Cuddy’s Ted Talk called, “Your body might shape who you are”. What is a power pose? Stand with your legs hip distance apart, place hands on hips and stay put for 2 minutes. You can also take on the “pride” pose and walk around. Place your hands in the air like you just beat your best friend at ping pong. Why does this science based intervention work? It increases your testosterone and lowers your cortisol. Essentially, your posture tells your body, you are okay and everything is good.
Alternate Nostril Breathing:
Use your right hand. Close the right nostril with your thumb and inhale with your left nostril. Pause.
And then close off your left nostril with your ring finger, release your thumb, and exhale through the right nostril. Pause.
Then inhale with the right nostril. Pause, close off your right nostril and exhale with the left nostril. Inhale left. Close left. Exhale right. Do this for about 5-10 cycles.
