7 things to do when you wake up stressed
Creative Contributor
A Mindfulness Exercise
by Erinn Gallo
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Creative Contributor A Mindfulness Exercise by Erinn Gallo 〰️
When this blog drops, there’s a 99% chance Erinn is leading a packed class of humans looking to start their day with a fresh perspective and hopeful outlook. Erinn doesn’t apply prescriptive flows. She infuses her wisdom and insights with a combination of planned sequences and creative downloads while imparting her lessons and knowledge that seem to perfectly apply to whatever heaviness or burdens are clinging to you.
Mindfulness is a cousin to creativity. Without the ingredient of mindfulness, creative balance is a challenge to achieve. Erinn keeps a notebook at the top of her mat when she teaches class referencing it from time to time. One day I asked if she would be open to an assignment. Lucky for us, Erinn accepted and has shared with APM readers: 7 things you can do when you wake up stressed.
A Brain Dump: The list of Stressors can seem overwhelming and totally daunting. Waking up to a mountain of chores and unwanted to do’s can feel like an uphill battle. A gente way torelase these thoughts Is to get them out of your head and on to paper. Often times the shadowy haunting list is actually quite simple! Crack open the notebook and release anything that wants to flow out of you.
Box breathing or 4 count breath: One hand on your belly or both hands on your lap. Close your eyes or soften your gaze. inhale through your nose at a slow and shady pace to the count of " 1 2 3 4. Hold at the top if your inhale for the count ot 4. Exhale at the same pace as your inhale to the count of 1 2 3 4 and pause at the bottom of your exhale for 4. If it helps, you can visualize a box as you count. Repeat 8-10 rounds or as long as feels needed. Slowly return to an organic breath.
4. A Gratitude List: Similar to your brain dump Grab pen + paperr - Without thinking, start to list off what you're grateful for in this moment! You’ll end up with a full page before you know It. Start small like safety, clean water and grow bigger + more specific.
5. Coffee or tea Meditaton: (view page 25 in issue 01 of APM)
Purchase issue 01 (second print) run here. (apply GRATITUDE for free shipping thru 11/28 at 11:59pm!)5. Tech free walk: If you dont have the space to go phone-free, silence your nonfiction or go in airplane mode. Turn off all noises in your watch or other tech gear. Whether you have 5 minutes, 15, or one hour,see what you can squeeze in. Challenge yourself - what is something new to you? A rock? A boat? A flower? What haven't you noticed before? Let thoughts come and go as you take in the beauty around you.
6. Sun Salutation: If you're a yogi you've likely experienced this at the top of your class. A gentle warm up of the body, spirit, mind. Breath in and out through your now. Inhale - fully, exhale -completely.
7. Lucky Number 7: A Full body scan
Find a comfortable position - stand back against a wall-
Or -Lying (not on your bed)
Allow yourself to soften in your space. Relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw, part your lips, breathe in through the nose - exhale like letting air out ot a balloon.
→ start at crown of your head -
Notice - observe - breathe
→ move to your third eye center
Notice - observe - breathe - wiggle your eyebrows - release
→ move to your nose, ears, eyes, mouth, neck, shoulder, chest, ect.
Keep moving, observing, noticing, breathing, wiggling until you reach your toes. Release as you need.
Big breath in – EXHALE.
Erinn (Cavanagh) Gallo is a 500-hour trained and certified yoga instructor who occasionally dabbles in writing. She is a mom, outdoor enthusiast, well-being advocate, and south shore local. Erinn spends most of her time teaching at several studios and hopes to create a more thoughtful approach to health and healing.Erinn’s Instagram highlights her schedule as she is often darting between different studios and special events.