Home / Glossary

 

​MINDFULNESS 

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with our full intention. It’s a beneficial practice that cultivates peace, bolsters our immune system, helps us combat stress, eases depression and anxiety disorders, and helps us learn to become truly present in our day-to-day lives. Cultivating mindfulness is one of the primary goals of Stop and Breathe® sessions and workshops.

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​WELLNESS

Wellness is the process in which an individual actively develops both an awareness and a desire to make conscious choices in order to lead a more well-balanced and healthy existence in mind, body and spirit. Stop and Breathe® sessions lead to a life of health and wellness when we learn how to breathe optimally and fully relax the mind and body.

 

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​MEDITATION

Meditation is a broad term that encompasses the practices of breathing, relaxation, concentration, mindfulness, one-pointed focus, listening within, and finding inner peace in the constant chatter of our busy minds. Meditation is taught during each Stop and Breathe® session and various techniques are provided to help each individual develop a private practice in a tangible, accessible way.

 

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​YOGA 

Yoga is a science and practice that is said to be over 5,000 years old that includes physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to give more comfort within our body and more peacefulness within our mind. Gentle yoga instruction can be incorporated into a Stop and Breathe® session or workshop so as to ease the body of aches and pains, increase flexibility and range of motion, and release tension in the body. Yoga creates ease and comfort, both physically and mentally.

 

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​BREATHING

Breathing is something we all are constantly doing, but most people do not breathe in the most optimal way. Telling someone experiencing stress to ‘take a few deep breaths’ can actually be counter-productive if they are breathing improperly. Healthy breathing taught in a Stop and Breathe® session assists the body physically and mentally in these ways:

• Allows for a complete exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which both
energizes our minds and bodies while releasing toxins and tension

• Lessens the impact of stress responses by regulating the nervous system

• Improves circulation

• Calms the ‘fight or fright’ adrenaline rush of anxiety that occurs at a moment
of extreme stress or trauma

• Eases muscular pain and tension

• Lowers cortisol, which is the ‘stress’ hormone

• Steadies heart rate and aids in balancing blood pressure

• Strengthens the immune system

• Elevates the mood by releasing pleasure-inducing neurochemicals into the brain

 

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​RELAXATION

Relaxation is achieved when we breathe optimally and release tension within our minds and bodies. Progressive relaxation — the art of systematically relaxing the body from head to toe — is profoundly beneficial for coping with anxiety. You will leave a Stop and Breathe® session or workshop feeling more relaxed, calm, and focused.  Practicing this and other methods of relaxation — whether it’s through body relaxation or creative visualizations — can have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing.

 

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​STRESS 

Stress management is the management of stress. Stress has been described as a feeling of being overwhelmed, worried, anxious, or run down. No one is immune to stress, as it affects people of all ages and genders. Chronic stress leads to a myriad of both physical and psychological health problems. We all are faced with stress on a day-to-day basis. How we cope with it and manage stress is key. Stop and Breathe® specializes in stress management sessions and workshops to provide highly beneficial techniques that can be easily incorporated into one’s life and help eliminate the destructive effects of stress.

 

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​ANXIETY RELIEF 

Anxiety relief is the ease of anxiety. Ten common symptoms
of anxiety are:

1. shortness of breath

2. pounding or racing heart

3. muscular tension

4. headaches

5. nausea

6. insomnia

7. fatigue

8. dizziness

9. chills or body flushes

10. numbness or tingling in the limbs

 

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Stop and Breathe® works with individuals experiencing anxiety and panic disorders. It’s been said that it is physiologically impossible to have an anxiety or panic attack when doing healthy, deep breathing. This can help tremendously by providing tools that can be used in the face of an actual panic attack, or for those suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.