Nurture your peace to get through the holiday season

As the holidays reach their peak, so too can the stress.

On the first BALM holiday support call this past Wednesday, we talked about ways to return to peace in the midst of upset. Here are a few of the tools BALMers shared during the call. See if any can be of use to you:

• 4-4-8 This breathing practice can really help. Here is how it works. Breathe in to the count of 4. Hold your breath to the count of 4. Breathe out to the count of 8. If you make it a habit to practice this technique for five minutes three times a day, you will soon find yourself living more calmly. And the best benefit? This type of calm breathing will be there for you in a pinch. When a crisis happens, you will remember 4-4-8 breathing and do it to calm yourself down.  Three or four repititions will often be enough to bring you back to a calm, relaxed state of mind and body.
• Breathe Through Transitions – Does your loved one call you with bad news on a regular basis? When the phone rings from now on, pause and breathe in before picking it up. Then, as you reach for it, breathe out. Do this every time in order to keep yourself calm on the phone. It works!
• Daily Journaling – Feeling edgy in the morning? Like you have a lot to get off your chest? Try this special journaling technique every morning known as Morning Pages. Have 3 sheets of 8 1/2″ x 11″  lined paper by the bed and write down whatever is on your mind. The trick: Pick up your pen even if you have nothing to say or write. Just write whatever comes to mind until more comes out. Do it daily  and watch your stress level drop and any writer’s block you may have had drop away

If you like these tools and would like to learn more, join us on the rest of the holiday support calls over the next two weeks. Sign up here:

For Families:  CLICK HERE

For *Loved Ones:  CLICK HERE
*Anyone with a Use Disorder

See you on the calls!

And remember everyone, Be A Loving Mirror!

Best,

Bev

Be A Loving Mirror!
Beverly A. Buncher, MA, PCC, MRLC, CTPC
Family Recovery Coach/CEO
Family Recovery Resources, LLC
http://balmfamilyrecovery.com
bbuncher@familyrecoveryresources.com
786 859 4050