Ashe Mountain Times

This column is another in the continuing series providing readers the opportunity to ask questions of a life coach whose focus is "wellness".  The purpose of this column is to make a difference regarding your well-being. We will share ideas for you to ponder. We will address material that you send in so please know "your" questions are important..

What you will find in this column is not our "answers"; but, rather, the use of our coaching skills to provide possibilities for new thinking as you relate to the circumstances of your life. Questions or topics may be sent to (dee@listenfully.com) or through the About Us - Ashe Feedback link on the Ashe Mountain Times website at http://www2.mountaintimes.com

Now, for this week's focus for well being: For the last few weeks, we have been addressing the common circumstance of time and the common feeling of overwhelm sometimes set in motion by the demands of our lives. Our ability to deal with managing time is a major underlying factor in creating our well being. Previously, we looked at 1) stopping to notice just what we are doing with our time, 2) realizing we have choices (remembering we have choice can have us feel lighter), 3) pausing when someone makes a request of us and agreeing to respond later and 4) making a daily, weekly and monthly "space" appointment with yourself in your calendar and treating that appointment like any other appointment that you always keep. This week's column is addressing one more question regarding the topic of time, before we move on to other topics.

So, you ask: "How can I create more space in between the 'schedule' and 'expectations' that seem to run my life?" Space is an interesting topic for these times in which we live. Our culture pulls us to fill up all of our space with work, activities, events, projects, causes, technological toys, and material "stuff". When we pause to notice the world of our physical bodies, we find that we hold our breath (creating no space in our lungs), we hold our posture tight and our muscles tense (creating no space in our body frame), we fill our stomachs with too much unhealthy food (creating no space in our organs or blood vessels). We may find that creating some space in our lives can foster living our life from a more relaxed place of ease and well being. However, just thinking about creating space may be seen as just another demand to "do" something and thus cause more stress initially. I invite you to start with one simple and profound step ~ the number one health practice: take a deep breath frequently during your waking hours. This one simple habit can make a huge difference in the choices you make about all of the things that fill up your space.

If you are finding yourself squeezed for space, consider creating a new habit:  Stand up straight, roll your shoulders back, take a deep breath into your belly, hold it for a count of 3 and release it all the way out. Practice this activity any time you are making a choice to fill up some space in your life --  whether it be more work, a new activity or project, purchasing another item, taking a bite of food, etc. --  and notice what difference it makes for you.

We will continue to address questions regarding your well being in future columns as long as you continue to send them for us to explore.