{"id":8314,"date":"2020-08-13T07:03:01","date_gmt":"2020-08-13T06:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elysium-uk.com\/site\/?p=8314"},"modified":"2020-08-12T21:45:18","modified_gmt":"2020-08-12T20:45:18","slug":"taking-a-breather-sophrologist-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elysium-uk.com\/site\/achieve\/taking-a-breather-sophrologist-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking a Breather \u2013 Sophrologist Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The year 2020 has frankly, been crazy. What started with hope and excitement has evaporated into a covid-fuelled pool of stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue. As humanity slowly turns the corner and a sense of normality \u2013 if ever there was one \u2013 begins to return, how does the discerning gent cope?<\/p>\n

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Elysium Magazine sought the advice of Dominique Antiglio, a Sophrologist at\u00a0BeSophro\u00a0clinic<\/span><\/a>. If this term sounds new to you (it did for us) then let us enlighten: Sophrology is a self-development method and practice using body and mind, allowing each individual to create more balance and harmony in themselves and the world around them. It is both a philosophy and a way of life, as well as a therapy and a personal development technique.<\/p>\n

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It is worth a try. After all, given the world events that seems so far-fetched in February but ultimately turned out to be months of negatively for many, let\u2019s give this one some consideration. It might be able to assist, helping with tips and advice on breathwork techniques that can be used in various situations i.e. quelling stress, calming anxiety, releasing negativity, neutralising anger, processing sadness etc. \u2013 basically all the things lockdown has pushed many to.<\/p>\n

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Breathwork only takes a few minutes and is proven to activate the parasympathetic nervous system which helps to calm the body down from heightened states. Dominique\u2019s advice touches on the role the breath plays in our emotions, how it presents under various situations, and breathing techniques that can be engaged to manage those emotions. So let\u2019s get her thoughts on some key areas.<\/p>\n

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Dealing with working from home during tough periods in a typical workday (video calls, meeting with clients\/boss etc.)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

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One feeling most commonly associated with work is stress. Stress is healthy in small doses as it keeps us alert and energised but experiencing regular or prolonged stress is unhealthy and takes its toll on the mind and body. Breathwork is a really easy way to ground yourself in the body when thoughts start taking hold. Here are a couple of breathwork exercises that will come in helpful when working from home:<\/p>\n

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Managing stressful situations<\/strong><\/p>\n

When we are stressed, the breath naturally becomes fast and shallow, and more centred in the chest. Use a technique called abdominal breathing to shift the breath from your chest down to your tummy where you can breathe more deeply, slowly and calmly.<\/p>\n

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Abdominal breathing:<\/strong><\/p>\n