Throw your feet in the air

Most of us encounter life-threatening experiences everyday, or at least our bodies think we do.  Likely you're not spending your time running from saber-toothed tigers. But, your stress hormones may have you fleeing the scene more frequently than you think.  Stressful situations stimulate your sympathetic nervous system  triggering a flood of hormonal reactions equipping you with the energy needed to cope - essential flight or fight. After the trigger event resolves, your parasympathetic nervous systems helps you get back to neutral.  Think of a working and resting heart rate. Just like athletic recovery time, your stress-response recovery time is just as important.  

Try this restorative pose - legs up the wall (or couch) - next time you need to unwind from a stressful day. Once you've situation your feet over your hips, place one hand on your belly and one on your heart.  Begin to feel your breath normalize and deepen.  Hold this posture with your eyes soft, or closed, for at least 5 minutes.

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