Wellbeing

How to: Chill out

Psychotherapist Maxine Harley says slow down your breathing to slow down your mind…

Psychotherapist Maxine Harley says slow down your breathing to slow down your mind…
We cannot simply ‘think’ our way out of a heightened emotional state. The only way to reduce your anxiety levels at the outset is to change your physiology. The first step is with the breath:

• Slowing down your breathing and extending the outgoing breath activates the parasympathetic nervous system which is our body’s natural ‘soother’. When we have slowed down the breath and released the tension in our body we can then refocus our attention and awareness and give our brain a reprieve from the incessant ruminating on things, and the draining mind-chatter/head-heckling that we do to ourselves.

• Eat well, with plenty of good proteins which provide the amino-acid building blocks for our brain chemicals and neurotransmitters. The body has its own natural ‘tranquiliser’ in the form of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) – which is also available to buy as a supplement. Visit psychotherapy-sussex.co.uk

Article by

Jane Alexander

Holistic Health Expert

Jane Alexander is the author of over twenty books on natural health and holistic living, including the bestselling Spirit of the Home and The Detox Plan.

Discover more

Article by

Jane Alexander

Holistic Health Expert

Jane Alexander is the author of over twenty books on natural health and holistic living, including the bestselling Spirit of the Home and The Detox Plan.

Discover more