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Election Stress Relief
A 2-Minute Relaxation for Your Chest
Try our body scan to find a moment of calm — right now
As we approach Election Day, Elemental is bringing you a progressive body scan for stress relief (also known as progressive muscle relaxation therapy; read more about the science behind it here). Each day, you’ll focus on and relax one part of your body to find a moment of presence and calm. Today, we dial in to the chest. Find earlier installments here (for the feet), here (for the legs and lower back), and here (for the core).
Pause.
Take a nice big inhale… and a long exhale.
Let go of thoughts that may have triggered tension in your chest.
Feel your chest expanding and softening with every breath you take.
Let go.
Breathe naturally, and notice the gift and power of your breath without criticism or judgment.
Without forcing it to perform in any way.
Just let the breath dance naturally in your lungs, as you breathe in… and breathe out.
Bring awareness to your collarbone, your chest, and your upper back.
Notice how they dance with the breath.
Notice the wings of the shoulder blades expand and soften on every inhale and exhale.
See if you can expand the chest from side to side.
Inhale and feel the expansion.
Hold for three, two, one…
Exhale, let go, and soften.
Feel the expansion from front to back.
Inhale and hold for three, two, one.
Exhale… let go.
Let yourself breathe naturally, and feel the rise and fall of your breath like an ocean tide.
See if you can feel or hear the heartbeat in your chest.
Tune in to the heart, and tune everything else out.
Feel the heart bringing a fresh wave of calm to all parts of the body as you focus on its every beat.
Breathe and remember that as the heart gives so much to you, you must take time to give back to it.
Repeat this affirmation, either out loud or in your head: “Love guides me.”
