Ocean Breath: A Calming Oasis for Your Friday Unwind

Hello, and welcome back to Mindful Moments. I'm Julia, and I'm so glad you're here with me today. Friday morning energy is real, isn't it? That weird mix of almost-made-it-through-the-week relief mixed with that little voice wondering if you've actually accomplished what you set out to do. Today, we're going to ease some of that tension with one of my favorite breathing techniques. No pressure, no performance—just you, me, and some really good air.

So let's get started. Find yourself a comfortable seat, somewhere you can be for the next few minutes without worrying about your phone or the dishes or whatever else is calling for attention. You can close your eyes if that feels right, or soften your gaze downward. Take a moment to notice your spine naturally stacking, vertebra by vertebra, like a gentle tower of support.

Now, let's anchor into our breath. Take one deep inhale through your nose, and as you exhale through your mouth, let your shoulders drop away from your ears. Repeat that twice more. Already, you're telling your nervous system that it's safe to relax.

Here's the practice I want to share with you today. We're going to use what I call the ocean breath, and I think you'll love it. Imagine your breath moving like waves against a shoreline—never rushed, always rhythmic, endlessly patient.

Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of four. Feel your belly expand like a balloon gently filling. Hold that breath for just a moment, like a wave suspended at its crest. Then exhale through your mouth for a count of six, letting the tension pour out like water returning to sea. That longer exhale is key here—it signals your body that everything is okay.

Let's do this together for two minutes. In for four: one, two, three, four. Hold. Out for six: one, two, three, four, five, six. Again. In for four. Hold. Out for six.

Feel how the longer exhale naturally slows everything down? Your heart rate, your thoughts, your entire nervous system? That's not an accident. That's biology working beautifully in your favor.

As we close, notice how different your shoulders feel from when we started. That calm you're experiencing right now? You can pocket that. When Friday afternoon hits or Monday morning looms, come back to this ocean breath. Four counts in, six counts out. It takes ninety seconds, and it works every single time.

Thank you so much for joining me today on Mindful Moments: Daily Breathing Exercises for Relaxation. I hope you're feeling a little lighter. Please subscribe wherever you're listening so we can breathe together again tomorrow. You've got this.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI