Breathing with intention tells your body it’s safe to rest, repair, and restore balance.
By Dr. Kurt Larsen
As the season of lights and lists unfolds, many people feel their energy drop even while joy surrounds them. Within the “Triangle of Health,” physical, chemical, and mental, most of us protect the body and watch what we eat, but overlook the “mental side” that drives everything else.
Your thoughts are not just ideas floating in space; they set off chemical messages that affect hormones, breathing, digestion, and even posture. When your mind races, your body follows: shoulders tighten, the jaw locks, and fatigue creeps in. Stress doesn’t just live in your head; it anchors in your spine, muscles, and nervous system.
To reset, start with one simple act: “Breathe With Intention.” Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of four, hold for four, and exhale through your mouth for six. Do this for one minute, several times a day. Each breath tells your body it’s safe to rest, repair, and restore balance.
During the holidays, also try these quick resets:
- Pause before you react—give grace to yourself and others.
- Step outside daily—let nature quiet your thoughts.
- Name three things you’re grateful for—gratitude rewires stress into strength.
When the mental side of your triangle is steady, your body chemistry follows, and your structure responds with ease. That’s true holiday health: calm, centered, and ready to thrive
Dr. Kurt Larsen, DC, FICS, is an instructor, Wellness Coach, and owns Chiropractic Today at 10C Ponderosa Way, in Hot Springs Village. 501-623-9355.
