The holiday season is “the most wonderful time of the year.”  It’s also the time of year many feel the most stressed! The relaxation response is the body’s natural counter to the stress response.  If you’re feeling holiday stress starting to creep in, take a few minutes to try this mini relaxation breathing exercise from the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine

INHALE, pause- 1,2,3         EXHALE, pause, 1,2,3

• After each inhalation, pause and count: 1,2,3 (breath is held in)
• After each exhalation, pause and count: 1,2,3 (breath is let out)
• Do this for several breaths.