17 Comments
User's avatar
Carol Choinière Allen's avatar

This was a great read. I'm always surprised at how often I forget that breathing quells my anxiety.

An expression I use is "Flip and float" when I'm trying to fight something when I should just be accepting.

Beth O’Brien's avatar

Carol, this is brilliant! Thank you for sharing

We need to hit a hot springs together)

Carol Choinière Allen's avatar

That sounds heavenly.

KW's avatar

Slow breathing gets me through most days 🧘‍♀️

Beth O’Brien's avatar

Glad to hear!

Dr Deborah Vinall's avatar

Beautiful written important reminders.

Dr Vicki Connop's avatar

Beautiful, Beth. Learning how to let go of bracing seems to be one of my central lessons in life. I love your analogy of floating ❤

Beth O’Brien's avatar

I just finished a weekend of training counselors in PACT couple therapy. I led an exercise where participants gently tuned into their nervous system…and let go 5%. They seemed to appreciate it. Therapists carry a lot.

Dr Vicki Connop's avatar

Wonderful, and so needed ❤

Dr Michelle Hopkins's avatar

This is such a great reminder to consciously breathe and move the body. I love the simplicity of floating, letting go, being held. It feels so healing and peaceful.

Beth O’Brien's avatar

Thanks Michelle!

It felt like I could have floated for hours

Michelle R. Smith, LIMHP's avatar

Sounds like the hot springs were quite meaningful!

Beth O’Brien's avatar

Thanks Michelle

And much needed!

Kim West's avatar

Beth, I loved this. I'm a regular "floater" especially when life starts to feel overwhelming. I appreciate how you name three strands of restoration: movement, breath, and self-compassion. One or two can help, but it’s limited. Movement without kindness can still be striving. Breath without movement can leave tension behind. Affirmations without regulation can feel hollow. Together, though — body, breath, and compassion — something deeper settles and restores. 💛✨

Monika Maurer's avatar

I love all these suggestions Beth - especially about how we speak to ourselves. It's all too easy to forget that our negative self-talk leads us nowhere!

Aaliya's avatar

I really loved this Beth!! I love the idea of using movement and affirmations to create a sense of well-being. Thank you for sharing these insights!

Beth O’Brien's avatar

Glad you liked this essay!