Hi GSD Leader 👋 We all know life gets heavy. The to-do lists never end, emotions pile up, and suddenly you realize… you’re barely breathing. Your chest feels tight, your shoulders tense, and your brain is stuck in overdrive. 

That’s your body in fight-or-flight mode. But here’s the good news: you have more control than you think.

In a recent Instagram Live, I chatted with Jill Pidcock: a mom, spiritual leader, and guide for silent retreats to talk about the power of breathwork and stillness. What she shared is simple, but it can change everything about how you move through stress, anxiety, and even grief.

When stress hits, most of us unconsciously breathe shallowly. The problem is that shallow breath keeps your nervous system stuck in panic mode, draining your energy and clarity.

Here’s a reminder from Jill: when you deepen your breath, you give your body permission to shift into calm. It’s like flipping a switch from chaos to control.

Try this right now:

• Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts 
• Hold for 4 counts.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth by bubbling your cheeks for 6–8 counts.
• Repeat 3 times.

Feel the difference? Even a few breaths can reset your whole system.

If you’ve ever wished you could “just pause life,” silent retreats are one of the most powerful ways to do it. They’re not about escaping your responsibilities, they’re about creating space to hear yourself again.

Here’s what you gain:

🧠  Mental clarity when the noise quiets down

😮‍💨  Emotional release without distraction

🥰  A deeper connection to your own intuition

And if you’re worried about “not doing it right” don’t be. Silent retreats meet you where you are. Whether you’re carrying grief, burnout, or just too much busyness, the stillness holds space for you to heal.

Meet Jill:

As a mother of a child with special needs, she’s discovered how breathwork opened a whole new way of communicating and connecting with her son. Her story is both powerful and practical, and it might just change how you think about your own breath.

🎥 Click below to watch the full IG Live replay with Jill 👇

You don’t have to wait for a retreat to start practicing. Jill shared a few simple ways to weave breathwork into daily life:

• Morning reset: Take 5 minutes before emails or calls to breathe deeply and set an intention.
  
• Stress pause: Whenever you feel overwhelmed, step away (even to the bathroom if you must) and do 3 rounds of slow breathing.
  
• Evening unwind: Use long exhales before bed to calm your nervous system and prepare for rest (which can help you fall asleep faster). 

Little moments of breath add up and they create resilience for when life gets stressful and overwhelming.

Life will throw challenges at you. That part isn’t optional. But how you move through them is where your power lies.

Breathwork is free, always available, and one of the fastest ways to reconnect with yourself when everything feels like “too much.” Silent retreats go a step further, offering you the space to reset completely.

So the next time your shoulders are tight and your breath is shallow, remember: one deep inhale and exhale can change everything.

📩 Curious about silent retreats or want to get connected? Email us at: connect@angelaproffitt.com and schedule a time to chat.

Because life is about living with more peace, more presence, and more power. 💓

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