Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I’m so grateful to you, dear readers.
Given that 41% of Americans report higher stress between November and January, I want to share a simple way to destress in less than two minutes.
The video below shows a process called havening (as in “safe haven”). Running your hands from palms to fingertips in a continual motion, you are both the toucher and the touchee. This simple loop motion helps decrease cortisol and increase oxytocin. (The fact that the church bells decided to chime as I was recording this felt like a universal endorsement.)
Some people practice havening slightly differently: by crossing their arms so their left hand is on their right shoulder and vice versa. They then gently run their hands up and down the opposite arm in a self-hug motion. Try both and see which one relaxes you more. It’s easy enough to teach kids so they, too, can learn how to regulate their nervous systems.
And if you are somewhere you can close your eyes as you do this, I’ve recorded a short meditation to listen to as you do the self-havening routine. I hope it helps your holidays live up to the “all is calm” lyrics.
Until next time, remember that creativity knows no bounds.
