Appreciation
Once you have mastered how to breathe properly from your abdomen, you can begin to implement the skill of appreciation to give you constant opportunity to feel greater happiness in your life.
Appreciation is simply the act of noticing the good things that are surrounding you, and not taking any of it for granted – the love you get from your family and friends (even your dog); your material possessions; your health and body; the beauty of your surroundings and all the simple little things that we can take for granted (such as a smile). It’s not about waiting until something better happens before you feel happy. The stress of our lives makes it so much simpler to notice the bad things such as a traffic jam or noisy neighbour, but it takes more effort to notice the good.
As a tool for coping with stress, appreciation stops your mind and body focusing on ‘danger’ by expanding your attention, which calms the stress response. It allows you to spend time thinking about your blessings (which you may have forgotten) and retrains your nervous system to relax.
Hints and tips
- When you plan your day, include at least two things that you are thankful for
- When you go to bed at night, reflect on at least ten things that you are thankful for – it might also lead to more pleasant dreams
- When practising your abdominal breathing, when you inhale think about one of the things that you area grateful for. Appreciation is enhanced when combined with your breathing.
- Spend 30 seconds giving your full focus and attention to thinking about someone you love. Then try it again with something naturally beautiful (a place, sunset or flower for example) and then with how someone has been kind to you.
- Try these activities when you need to make a decision
- Try them whenever you feel overwhelmed or lack confidence.
Amanda Miller is a Certified Life Coach now appreciating her life as a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant to encourage women to appreciate themselves and their natural beauty through custsomised skin care.
