RPM
the REST of the week #65
How was your week?
Have you ever accidently bumped the gas pedal of the car before putting it in gear? The revolutions per minute (RPM) shoot up and it sounds like you’re revving your engines like a NASCAR driver—ready to enter the race.
The only problem is, you’re not driving a race car (and there is a whole list of reasons why high RPM in neutral isn’t good for the everyday, ordinary car).
Perhaps you’ve had the chain come off your bike while pedaling hard uphill? All that effort suddenly gets you nowhere and your feet fly around crazily. It can even throw you off balance (if, like me, you are not a seasoned biker).
Maybe you’ve felt your internal world rev up, but you can’t quite get into gear and take action. The intensity of high RPM without connection to a purpose can spin you right into a rut.
Paralyzing. And exhausting.
Some days, some weeks, are like that.
I don’t have a quick fix, but I do know that it helps to pause and notice one’s RPM and to be patient with the process of returning to a place of rest.
I also have a favorite breathing exercise that has proven helpful—here it is:
Sit in a comfortable chair with a back.
Lift the tip of your tongue to the back of your two front teeth and then slide it up to the ridge just behind your teeth. Hold the tip of your tongue there a blow out loudly (like blowing out a birthday candle, but keeping your tongue in position).
With your mouth closed, breathe in through your nose for 4 counts.
Hold your breath while you count to 7 in your mind.
Now, blow out for a count of 8 as you did in step #2, exhaling audibly.
Repeat these steps for a total of no more than 4 cycles at a time.
Some people may feel lightheaded when starting deep breathing exercises. Stop if you feel lightheaded and consult your medical care provider if the problem persists or you have any concerns.
Practice this throughout the day as needed and at night to quiet things down for a good night’s sleep.
May your rest be sweet,
Alicia
Deep, breathing exercises are great! They help reset our parasympathetic nervous system, or help to calm the body down.
It also helps me if I close my eyes, put my palms against my closed eyelids, so that no light can get in, and take deep breaths.
When I first start, there is likely to be some “bright spots“ in the darkness. As I breathe out slowly, the bright spots that I see will gradually fade away when all is “dark,” then my system has calmed down quite a bit.