A – Appreciate

Many roads can lead to Peace. Sometimes we need to take it Day by Day, Peace by Peace. This week we are going to discuss how you can appreciate you. Sometimes we need to appreciate others, and I am sure you do. But this week, it is the appreciation “you” week. I have many suggestions and simple ideas below that you can do. Promise me that you will try three of them, and if you see some that you are doing, try three that you have not tried before.

“Simple Ways to Appreciate Yourself This Week.”

In The Past

When I talk to women, one of the first things I ask is, how do you show yourself love? Do you appreciate yourself? What do you do just for you? I get different responses; sometimes blank stares, some take time for their selves, while still others say – Time? Appreciate? Self?

What is that?

I have been on both ends of the spectrum. When our children were young, I was a stay-at-home mom, cooking, cleaning, washing, bedtime routines, appointments, and practices; I was always busy. Two were in diapers at the same time.

I think back and try to think of some things I did to show appreciation just for me. The only thing I remember doing was going to these exercise classes at the gym about once or twice a week, but I do not remember doing anything else for myself.

I do not remember taking a “me time break; there was no” self-love or showing appreciation for myself.

In Fact

I am being reflective here, but I believe I would have felt guilty at that period if I had taken some quality time. I did not know any better back then.

But I changed diapers, chased children, cooked, cleaned, washed clothes, fed everyone, did grocery shopping, clothed everyone in the family, did their hair, had baths, was the activity coordinator for my family, and so on.

I remember thinking I wished I had worked outside the house because I could clock out, go home, and be finished. Oh, how naive I was back then, not realizing that I would have had two full-time jobs, one of which I would not be able to clock out.

Regaining control of your Peace could be as simple as stopping in that moment and taking a minute by taking some deep breaths.

These Breathing techniques lead us to the first way to show appreciation for ourselves!

10 Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief and More

You are breathing, not just breathing, but are you breathing correctly?

Why is it important to breathe correctly?

Because…

Breathing properly: Increases metabolism, aiding in digestion and weight loss. It oxygenates the body, revitalizing organs, cells, and tissues. On the other hand, not breathing correctly can cause problems for several systems in the body, including the immune, circulatory, endocrine, and nervous systems.

Did this article say it increases metabolism, aiding digestion and weight loss? Oh, I am in!

1. Pursued lip breathing.
2. Diaphragmatic breathing
3. Breath focus breathing
4. Alternate nostril breathing
5. Lion breath
6. Equal breathing
7. Resonant breathing
8. Sitali breath
9. Shallow breathing

Pursued lip breathing.

This simple breathing technique makes you slow down your breathing pace by having you applyTrusted Source deliberate effort in each breath.

You can practice pursed lip breathing at any time. It may be especially useful during activities such as bending, lifting, or stair climbing.

Practice using this breath 4 to 5 times a day when you begin so that you can correctly learn the breathing pattern.

To do it:

1. Relax your neck and shoulders.
2. Keeping your mouth closed, inhale slowly through your nose for 2 counts.
3. Pucker or purse your lips as though you were going to whistle.
4. Exhale slowly by blowing air through your pursed lips for a count of 4.

Try it this week and see if it doesn’t relax you. This one was my favorite because it was quick and did not take much time, but still, I could settle myself in the moment.

Outside the Box

I asked you to think outside the box and try something different, so let us look at…

Lion’s Breath

Lion’s breath is an energizing yoga breathing practice that is said to relieve tension in your chest and face.

It’s also known in yoga as Lion’s Pose or Simhasana in Sanskrit.

To do this:

1. Come into a comfortable seated position. You can sit back on your heels or cross your legs.
2. Press your palms against your knees with your fingers spread wide.
3. Inhale deeply through your nose and open your eyes wide.
4. At the same time, open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue, bringing the tip down toward your chin.
5. Contract the muscles at the front of your throat as you exhale out through your mouth by making a long “haaa” sound.
6. You can turn your gaze to look at the space between your eyebrows or the tip of your nose.
7. Do this breath 2 to 3 times.

That was not bad. I just tried it. The link is below to look at their other seven Breathing technic.

All ten breathing exercises

Grateful For the Little Things

Now that our minds are relaxed and breathing better, oxygen radiates. Let us move on to being grateful for the simple things in life.

The Next thing we can do to appreciate ourselves is to be grateful for the little things sometimes; it is in the little things that are biggest blessings are. Being grateful for the little things takes you out of yourself and helps you focus on God’s greatness while looking at the little things. Here are my little – not so little things that I’m grateful for the

• Sunset
• Early Morning
• Coffee
• A Smile
• A thank you.
• When someone holds the door open for me
• When I hold the door open for someone
• And then coffee again…

These are just some of the things I am grateful for.

What are you grateful for? I know you have them. Comment below to let us know.

It is time to write down all these experiences because I know you cannot contain them! You are showing how much you appreciate yourself.

It is essential to write for your mental health. Write how you felt after your breathing exercise and what you are grateful for. I write often. I have been journaling since I can remember. there are many benefits to journaling.

5 Benefits of Journaling for Mental Health (positivepsychology.com)

I go through highs and lows of journaling.

I journal more when there are stresses in my life –

when I may feel out of control or have no control. Or when I am thrilled, mad, or feel misunderstood. The ones where I am angry, I mean really, really angry, I may have had to throw those pages away. I do not want my loved ones to see those. I just needed to get it out of my head and away from me consequently…

We are going to establish a Seek Understanding and Peace Journal. Your S.U.P. Journal can be any journal you like writing in; get a pen or pencil to write with and go to town. It is to be aware and “in” the moment. We will develop our S.U.P. Journal- so that you can refer back to it when you need some ideas, to appreciate yourself, and to destress and to find your happy place. This is your Seek Understanding and Peace Journal. Be open to trying some new things.

If you do not already journal,

Please take a moment to try it; you’ll find many benefits to journaling.

• Relieves Anxiety
• Helps with Depression
• A Good Stress Management
• Reflection
• Help With Recovery

And I will add that it helps with discovery – about you – following this taking notice of what is around you. In other words

• Give a compliment at least two, one for yourself and someone else. Sometimes when I am out, I see someone, and it does not matter the color, gender, male, female, or sexual orientation. It does not matter – I will compliment them if something is unique to me.  
• Take Flowers to a nursing home.
• Call that person who has been on your mind. They are on your mind for a reason or.
• Tell someone you love – that you love them – look them straight in the eyes and tell them how much they matter to you. If you can not do it face to face, then a phone call would be nice.
• The other week, I received a letter from my friend—a written letter; who gets those nowadays? I did. I felt special. As I am thinking about it, did I call and thank her? Oh boy, I need to do better. I will call her as soon as I get done.
• And don’t forget hugs are still lovely to give and receive in conclusion..

How do you show your self-appreciation? Please share in the comment section below.

As always, thank you for being here with me on this day – today.

GRACE AND PEACE

Cadeegirl Gee