And breathe...

Calm your anxieties and fi nd inner peace, without having to leave the comfort of your own home – thanks to our expert's advice

- Helene Cassan

We’re living in uncertain and stressful times. But slowing down the pace of our lives due to the Covid-19 crisis forces us all to live differently. We face a choice between feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety or using this as an opportunity to learn how to deal with it and be calmer.

Follow this expert advice from Helene Cassan, Spa & Wellness Consultant at Heritage Resorts, a leading wellness resort in Mauritius and organiser of the annual Mauritius Wellness Festival. It may be some time before we find ourselves doing yoga at sunset on an exotic beach (if ever!) but we can all picture the scene and learn to live a less stressful life. Here are Helene’s tips for a calmer you.

Learn to breathe well

Breathing is an essential part of our daily lives, yet it’s so under- or misused. When we feel overwhelmed by stress, our breathing tends to become short and jerky. This can cause poor oxygenation of our body and our brain, in turn opening the door to health problems and stress.

Try this simple move for five minutes every morning upon waking and every evening before bed:

Take 10 long and deep breaths.

Breathe in through your nose, as deeply as possible, while inflating the belly – allow air to enter the lower part of your lungs, which automatically pushes your diaphragm down.

Exhale through your nose, as slowly as possible, and deflate your stomach.

Between exhaling and inhaling try to block your breathing for four seconds to feel a moment of calm.

You can use this technique at any time during your day when you have to deal with negative emotions or stress.

STRETCH TO BEAT PAIN