Election Stress Relief

A 2-Minute Relaxation for Your Core

Try our body scan to find a moment of calm — right now

Liza Colpa
Elemental
Published in
2 min readOct 27, 2020

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Animation: Yana Pan

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 abdomen. Find earlier installments here (for the feet) and here (for the legs and lower back).

Pause.

Take a nice, big inhale… and a long exhale.

Release any worries about the future and any past regrets, and take a moment to tune in to your present without judgment or criticism.

Breathing in… and sighing out any fear, anxiety, or frustration.

Inhale… and exhale.

Bring your awareness to your belly.

Notice how it expands on your inhale and softens on your exhale.

Inhale and feel the belly stretch as the lungs expand and your diagram creates more space for your lower ribs.

Exhale and feel everything soften, like the wings of a dove after a long flight home.

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Elemental
Elemental

Published in Elemental

Elemental is a former publication from Medium for science-backed health and wellness coverage. Currently inactive and not taking submissions.

Liza Colpa
Liza Colpa

Written by Liza Colpa

New York-based Yoga + Meditation Teacher. www.lizacolpa.com, Instagram: @lizacolpa, YouTube: Liza Colpa, Insight Timer Meditation App: Liza Colpa