We wait all the time – in lines, on the phone, during our daily commute. So, how we choose to wait is a skill to develop. When we wait with patience, we are actively waiting. This means that we are working to tolerate the feelings associated with pauses or delays. This can be particularly helpful during stressful times when we are naturally more impatient. Doing an exercise to regulate ourselves may help us manage our impulses and reactions by settling certain thoughts and feelings.
In today’s Wellness Wednesday, we try a breathing exercise to help us wait with patience.
Try This:
As a class, group, or family:
· Try the “7-11 Breathing” Strategy.
· To start, sit in a comfortable position. Feel free to close your eyes if you find that helpful.
· Take a big breath. As you inhale, count from one to seven in your head.
· Then, let your breath out. As you exhale, count from one to eleven in your head.
· Repeat this process, counting from one to seven as you breathe in and from one to eleven as you breathe out.
Ask yourself, there is no wrong answer:
How do you feel after trying this breathing strategy to wait with patience?
Is there a time during your day or week that you need help to be patient?
Connecting to our faith:
“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1)
Lent is a season of waiting. It is an opportunity to practise how we wait with patience, attentively anticipating the resurrection of our Lord. During this time, we are reminded to take comfort knowing that God is waiting with us.
Further Learning:
ADULT BOOK: "Self Reg: How to Help Your Child (And You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life" by Dr. Stuart Shanker
CHILDREN'S BOOK: "A Little SPOT of Patience" by Diane Alber · POSTER: "Gratitude Moment" (elementary) https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SEL-Posters-Gratitude-Moment.pdf (secondary) https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SEL-Posters-Secondary-Gratitude-Moment.pdf