putting your feet up ...

To calm down a stressed out mind, one brilliant thing I recommend to my clients is "The Tahiti Pose".

It resets the stress response and brings you back to a calm, relaxed state in just a few minutes.  You can do it anytime and it really helps with sleep just before bed ...

They say blood can get "stuck" in your big leg muscles when you're stressed because your body's preparing you to run for your life.   So to get a more balanced blood supply to your brain, you need to help your leg muscles let go, so more blood can drain back to your head.

All you do is lie on your back on the floor and lift up your legs to get your hips quite close to a soft chair or bed.  Put a cushion or folded blanket under your hips so your upper legs are not quite straight up (keep a slight angle to ensure circulation is maximised).  Then you bend your lower legs to rest on the top.   So you make a sort of "step" shape.   See the photo here.  Experiment with putting your arms out level with your shoulders on the floor or keeping them by your side.   Right now I prefer my arms out ... 

Your face will probably feel tight for a while and when that tight feeling goes, you're done!  Usually 15 minutes or so does the trick.   Extra points for a stomach rumble which shows you've really nailed the rest/digest relaxed state.

The Tahiti pose is a simpler version of a yoga pose (photo here) where you put your legs up against a wall.   if you prefer this one, remember to ensure your legs are not totally straight up by putting a cushion under your hips to lift them slightly.   Or just keep your hips away slightly from the wall.

And if you don't have the opportunity to lie down, then do something more vigorous with your body - like a few star jumps or running up some stairs.  This can reset your stress response and keep it calm for hours.  Perfect for when you know stressful times are gonna hit soon.    

Maybe you've already tried some of these?  Or maybe you know a variation? 

Do please share in the comments so we can all benefit ...

Image by MabelAmber-1377835, still incognito - Pixabay