Day Four: Mini Breaks

When you were a kid and took breaks throughout the day it was called "recess" and we all know recess is everyone's favorite subject!

As adults we need breaks too.  As we go throughout our day, stress tends to build unless it is released.  While we'd all love to have time to sit back and relax, or go for a long run or out to lunch with friends, we don't always have that kind of time available in our day.

Mini-breaks are the perfect solution.

• Pay attention to sounds around you.  Notice what you hear and how it makes you feel and eliminate unnecessary noise.  
• Take a few deep breaths.  Breathe in through your nose, and exhale through your mouth.
• Do some brief muscle stretches.
• Sip a cold or warm drink
• Laugh!

Kids sometimes need mini-breaks too.  If you have a child that is prone to blow-ups, take a few minutes through the day modify some of the above suggestions for kids.

• Count sounds.  Count things they see that are green, or things that start with the letter "M."  You're helping them take time to notice their environment.
• Blow bubbles.  It forces breathing regulation.  You can also use bubble gum or blow up a balloon.
• Do animal stretches.  See how many animals movements you can imitate.
• Suck on a popcycle or sip some hot chocolate.
• Talk in a funny made-up language.

The goal is to prevent stress from building through the day.  It only takes a few minutes to manage stress levels and it's easy.  You can take breaths or tell jokes while waiting in the car at a stoplight or school drop-off line, or while standing in line at a grocery store.  If you can prevent stress from building in a day, you can eliminate a lot of potential blow-ups!