Sunday Trees (Tips for Resting and Square Breathing Technique)

Posted on by Prior...
linked to Sunday Trees #405

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I started this post for Tina Schell’s Lens-Artists’ theme of “TAKING A BREAK” earlier this month (here) – I did not have a chance to finish it – so here it is today. 

Doesn’t that tree look like it is resting – and taking a break?? 

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As many readers know – a lot of Summer 2019 has included resting up to healing injured ribs, and neck whiplash, from a minor car accident I was in this past June. 

Here are some things that help me take a break and rest up: 

#1: Heating Pads/ Neck Wraps 

The neck wrap to the left is NOT my favorite. In fact, it did not work for me. Maybe it had to do with what my neck is recovering from – but I know some folks who love that neck wrap. It has clay beads – which can be warmed or chilled – and the clay can also have “earthing” properties” – HOWEVER – the other two wraps – were great for rest and recovery. In this summer 2019 of healing up – those wraps are kept in the freezer and if you need a little refresher – you lie down and place the cool wrap along your body. The weight of them can have its own effect (( I am checking into weighted blankets )) and the coolness adds to the experience. My mother would love this in the winter when they are warmed. The size of these heating/cooling pads are clever. Also, see the green to the lower right – that is my journal for this summer. And yeah baby, some daily journaling is also great fro taking a break. 

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#2: Source Naturals Wellness Resistance Formula (here — and side note- this is not an affiliate plug – I just like this item). 

 

 

 

 

I bought this “herbal wellness” formula because it kept calling to me from the shelf at the store.  When you intuitively feel called to an item – well it MIGHT mean your body needs it. This was the case here – a few drops under the tongue, twice a day, continues to be fortifying. There is a little honey in this formula and when your threshold for sweet has been lowered – well the sweetness is extra tasty. And whew! – this really breathed new life into me when I felt nauseous that one day during the summer heat (it was when I knew I was not hydrating enough). We also help hydrate and replenish the body with salt, fats, oils, minerals and vitamins.

 

#3 Near infrared Light Therapy

Some folks are adding Near Infrared light-therapy bulbs to their home saunas because of the healing properties from light therapy. 

We added the bulbs to our sauna this summer – and I know it has helped me recover faster.. 

We added four “near” infrared bulbs to our home sauna – and it has been a huge help. I had a knot on my knee (from the car accident) that was healed in four days after being in the sauna with the NEAR infrared bulbs added. The regular heated sauna heat did not appear to help that much – but the light therapy made the bruised knot first become really itchy –  then it went down in size – and then dissipated. SO awesome. The bruised knot was gone in four days!

…..NEAR OR FAR INFRARED?

We went with NEAR….

I don’t know too much about the difference between near and far infrared – but my son researched it (a lot) and said “near” was the way to go. 

This next image shows other options for various infrared LIGHT THERAPY.

If you do not have a home sauna – you can also find ways to use the bulbs and just make sure you turn around and expose your body evenly to the light source. Check online for options because I am now a firm believer. 

There are pads, blankets, and zip up pouches too – and so if you are healing from anything – I highly suggest checking out light therapy. 

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#4: Take a Break to do some Intentional Breathing.

I might have shared this square breathing video before – but need to share it again because square breathing, also called box breathing, really helps you relax and cools down the body so the parasympathetic nervous system can help you rest and digest. 

 

Source: AC (here)- Calm breathing (sometimes called “diaphragmatic breathing”) is a technique that helps you slow down your breathing when feeling stressed or anxious.

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#4: Smile and Enjoy Down Time

P R I O R H O U S E   B L O G 

2019

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33 thoughts on “Sunday Trees (Tips for Resting and Square Breathing Technique)”

  1. I hope you are continuing to recover. It is frustrating when something out of our control happens (like an accident) and neck pain is the worst. My go-to at home remedies have been epsom salt baths and arnicare (a gel with arnica in it ) I am glad you are taking the time to take care of yourself. I enjoyed the diagram and video on square breathing. Thanks for sharing. Keep healing.

    ❤ Alana

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks Alana – and I am 95% healed up
      they said the ribs would take 6 to 8 weeks (unless they were broken – which can take six months) and guess what – at week seven – things were wonderful –
      but it has not been that bad overall – and I am not trying to be positive – sucked that it happened at all – but at first I thought it would be way worse –
      —
      thanks for the tip for the arnica and Epsom salt. – I do put some magnesium chloride (liquified flakes) on my areas – and it works a lot like epsom salt (some say better – and I think better – I buy life-fro magnesium chloride flakes – and Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate) anyhow, I have a gel with arnica in it but never thought of trying it for this – maybe I should – thanks for chiming in with what work’s for you- and TTYS

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      1. I am glad you are okay. It does suck that it happened and the healing process has happened during the summer months. I am glad you are almost healed up. Being injured really exercises patience. It sounds like you are on the right track. *hugs*

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    1. thanks so much Linda – and I did not mention it too much on the blog – I find it hard to keep chatting about something if I am persevering – lol -=
      but it was not as bad as it could have been and I do that God fo rotate. I also know that a few years of doing yoga paid off and think it would have been worse if I did not do that stretching
      and wishing you a great day

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  4. It certainly doesn’t take a big jolt to mess up our neck. Neck and back pain are the worst! It’s hard to go about our daily activities without turning or bending. I hope you continue to heal, Yvette. Maintaining our health is so important…take care!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks Jill – and I was in the back seat and have to share that I had just gotten back in the car after dropping something off at my brother’s and so guess what – I was not buckled – and um, mea culpa. But not he other hand – some of my family members and friends have argued that if I was buckled I would have been lower in the seat and near the truck’s direct impact on the car – and they suggested that it would have broke my legs if so – and so I am just grateful grateful grateful

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    1. well thanks for reading so closely and catching that little blurb with the journal snuck in there -and not everyone is into journaling (like my hubs is not…) but I try to make sure I get to it because I am better when I do
      🙂

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  6. Good to know you are doing so much better.

    And wow! I did not know all that about light therapy, but holy mango does it work, huh?

    The breathing I do, I don’t think I ever called it boxed breathing. But I have expanded my total breaths over time without it being uncomfortable to do so. It does help, lots.

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    1. the hardest for me to do – well when I am busy busy – is the pause before the inhale. but I slow down and try to reach count of 10 for each part of the square – and I guess sleep clinics use this box breathing and it helps folks fall asleep better than counting sheep haha

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      1. Do it while you’re driving. I do it that way when I’m pinched for time. It’s a great way to pass the time.

        It works for me, it really does. And yes to the sleep. I usually fall off soon after hitting the pillow.

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  10. I never know what I’ll read when I come here, Yvette, but I always find something interesting. I’ve done that sort of breathing before and I love the quote about rest. Rest is vital, but you can’t be on your phone while resting (unless perhaps you have some relaxation music.)

    I think you’ll like a book I’ve been reading and plan to implement when we move to Arizona: Skogluft, Jorn Viumdal, https://skogluft.com/. Light and forest air. Makes all sorts of sense to me.

    janet

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    1. thanks for chiming in with your practical wisdom – I like what you shared about rest being vital – and the book sounds interesting – I will check it out and get back with ya

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    1. Many thanks Sue (and Dave) – and thank fully it was not a summer fully lost to it (as I initially thought) so I am very grateful – and glad you stopped by – hope you have a nice rest of summer
      🙂 ttys

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