How often to I use this space to advise others about the best ways to manage stress? Recently I had a chance to put my own advice into action and well, let’s just say it didn’t go well.

I was driving along in my car, mindlessly singing with the radio, when I noticed that I smelled something burning. That’s NEVER a good thing when you’re barreling along in a 2-ton hunk of machinery.

My body immediately went into fright mode. My stomach clenched, my heart rate jumped, my breath came in little pants. My mind had a hard time focusing on what to do. This is what acute stress feels like.

I had enough presence to pull into a Walmart parking lot and call my boyfriend. I was pretty much screeching like a banshee instead of calmly telling him what was going on. The first thing he suggested? Take a deep breath!

Sound familiar? Seems like I suggest that to you nearly every week. Yet in my moment of panic, my mind didn’t latch on to any of the tools I've shared with you to reset the nervous system.

Why am I sharing this story? A few reasons: (btw, the car needed new brake calipers, and I was able to drive to my mechanic safely without anything exploding!)

My life is not stress-free.

I imagine some of you may think that I walk around in some sort of Zen cloud, never feeling anxious, angry or disappointed. Not true! I’m human, and I get triggered into deep emotions all the time.

Ask for help.

Often when we’re triggered, we need a calming presence to bring us back to our own calmer state. My boyfriend (bless him!) heard my panic, calmed me down & even stayed on the phone with me as I drove to the mechanic. Don’t feel guilty or ashamed about needing help. Connection is calming.

Use your breath.

Okay, I wasn’t able to remember to do this in the moment because panic is a super strong emotion that scrambles the brain. But even afterwards, when I was in the capable hands of my mechanic, I couldn't relax. My body still felt tighter than a drum. It was then I remembered to breathe.

Here’s what I did:

Finger Trace is my go-to breath & movement practice when I'm feeling stressed.It's such a simple practice, you could easily use it with a young child (as well as that scared little child still living inside you!) Take 2 minutes right now and give it a try.

Next time that you can’t sleep, or you’re sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, or any of the million instances that trigger your daily stress, finger trace will help you connect to your calmer self.

If my story teaches you anything, it's that learning to handle stress is an ongoing practice. Join me in any Midlife Yoga class where we always include practices to help us feel calm & safe.

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Until next time,

~ Rosemary