We live in a world consumed by stress. Deadlines loom, inboxes overflow, and anxiety whispers in our ears. It’s tempting to believe we’re just the victims of circumstance. But here’s the liberating truth: we have more control than we think.
While external factors may trigger stress, the real story unfolds within. Research by John E. Utting points out that stress isn’t simply a mental event; it’s embodied. Our fight-or-flight response to external events creates physical tension, racing hearts, and shallow breaths. The good news? Since stress lives in the body, we hold the power to flip the script.
The Paragon Pause: Your Gateway to Freedom
Our cornerstone tool, the Paragon Pause, is more than just a breathing exercise; it’s a conscious rewiring of the nervous system, bringing your heart, mind, and body into coherence.
Here’s how it works:
1. Situational Awareness: The first step is awareness. Notice the choice-point moment when your body shifts into its stress response. Notice the tension in your shoulders, the knot in your stomach, and racing thoughts.
2. Engage the Pause: Focus your attention in the area of your heart. Imagine your breath flowing gently in and out of your heart or chest area. Breathe slower and deeper than usual.
Cultivate Renewing Emotions: As you exhale, connect with a memory that evokes positive renewing emotions – A hug with a best friend, a scenic hike, or dinner with a romantic partner. Extend these renewing emotions through your body; let them radiate from your heart and commit to sustaining this feeling within your body.
3. Repeating this simple 3-step pause throughout the day disrupts the stress cycle. The deep, Heart-Focused Breathing™ sends calming signals that soothe your nervous system, overriding the fight-or-flight response. You can now become the creator of your experience rather than a victim of the circumstance.
The power is within you; you have the power to shape your reality one pause at a time. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that practicing mindfulness exercises like the Paragon Pause can actually alter our perception of the world. By learning to detach from reactive states, we see challenges as opportunities for growth, not insurmountable obstacles. This shift in perspective empowers us to shape our reality, not simply react to it.
Imagine navigating deadlines with laser focus, approaching difficult conversations with calm and clarity, and facing setbacks with unwavering resilience. It’s not about eliminating stress; it’s about mastering your response to it.
“Heart-Focused Breathing is a trademark of Quantum Intech, Inc. (dba HeartMath Inc.). www.heartmath.com/trademarks”
