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  • 🏁NKO Club | Vol.11 đŸŒ” Zooming Out for Perspective đŸŒ”

🏁NKO Club | Vol.11 đŸŒ” Zooming Out for Perspective đŸŒ”

11.8.24

01 WELLNESS SPOTLIGHT: Zooming Out for Perspective
02 TIP OF THE WEEK: Triangle Breath
03 PODCAST RECAP: Realpod w/ Victoria Garrick
04 SHOPPING: NKO Club Trucker Hats (restocked!)
05 MUSIC: Desert Perspective Playlist

01 Wellness Spotlight

ZOOM OUT for Perspective
why taking space and connecting with the expanse of nature is vital.

Horizon Gazing. Yup, it’s as simple as it sounds: looking out at the horizon and letting your mind wander. You’d be surprised by how much just taking a moment to gaze out at the open sky can work wonders for your mental health. Staring out into the expanse of the Mojave Desert with its beautiful mars-like rock formations and funky Joshua Trees I felt something move inside me
as if I dropped from the chaos of my mind down a little further closer to my soul. EXHALE.

Staring out at that stunning horizon was like pressing the reset button. But did you know there is actual research to support such a sensation? Engaging in activities like this can activate the parasympathetic nervous system—our body’s natural “rest and digest” mode (Kabat-Zinn, 2003). This helps reduce stress levels and brings us into a state of calm, which is exactly what we need in today’s fast-paced world brimming with a barrage of content, conversation and at times, chaos.

But it’s not just about calming down. Horizon gazing can also help give you a sense of perspective. Looking out at the vastness of the sky or an open landscape can remind you that the world is bigger than our daily worries. It can help us realize that our challenges are temporary and can even put things in a more manageable context. This aligns with a study published in Psychological Science, which found that people who viewed expansive natural landscapes were more likely to feel a sense of awe and connectedness, which is linked to greater well-being (Piff et al., 2015).

It’s the perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness or simply breathe in the beauty around you. While staring at the expanse as the colors of the sunset began to appear I dropped into a functional breath pattern: Triangle Breathing (which I will share next) and allowed the noise of my inner world to exhale away while taking in just hoe beautiful and temporary each of these moments is. your mind gets a chance to reset and refresh—no social media, no deadlines—just you and the horizon, you realize that all things, all moments, all strife and all triumph will surely pass and we are left with just this present moment.

So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break, pop in the car if needed and look out at the horizon. No phone, no social media, just you and the earth and your present state of being in there here and now. 🌅

02

TRIANGLE BREATHING

My family had our first ever family breath work session facilitated by my dear friend and founder of Nexus Breath, JR. We met through the Peloton community and became dear family friends through our wellness journeys. JR mixed some functional breath patterns into our family session and I wanted to share a pattern I found very helpful while gazing at the stunning horizon.

Triangle breathing is a simple and effective technique to help calm your mind, reduce stress, and improve focus. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you master it:

  1. Sit Comfortably: Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably, with your spine straight and your shoulders relaxed. You can close your eyes if it helps you focus.

  2. Inhale for 4 Counts: Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose for a count of 4. Fill your lungs completely, but don’t force it—just breathe deeply and naturally.

  3. Hold for 4 Counts: After inhaling, hold your breath for a count of 4. This pause allows your body to absorb the oxygen and helps calm your nervous system.

  4. Exhale for 4 Counts: Slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of 4, releasing all the air from your lungs. Make sure the exhale is smooth and controlled.

  5. Repeat: Repeat this cycle 4 times or more, until you start to feel more centered and relaxed.

The key to triangle breathing is the rhythm: inhale, hold, exhale, each for the same amount of time. This creates a balanced, calming effect. It’s great for reducing anxiety, improving concentration, or just taking a mindful pause during your day.

Please feel free to contact JR and Nexus Breath if you have further questions regarding breathwork and how it is a simple but powerful tool in our mental health toolkit.

03 Podcast Recap:

RealPod w/ Victoria Garrick Brown

I sit down with my good friend and fellow USC Trojan alum Victoria Garrick Brown and chat all things self-development, betting on yourself to move forward, the importance of being a B.I.T.C.H. and how there is always MORE in store even in the darkest days. Link to watch on YouTube is below as well as check out our other episode from YEARS AGO (let’s just say i’ve grown a lot) eek!

04 Shopping

just some of the hundreds of ya’ll repping our first drop! Be sure to tag us to be featured!

06 Music

This Desert Perspective đŸŒ” Spotify playlist is a great one to find space, to chill and to center back into yourself when life can get overwhelming. Consider bringing this along on a morning walk or for a drive and hike into nature. Atmospheric, emotional, calm, and hopeful this one is good for the soul.

WANT TO NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE SPOTLIGHT?

Follow @NKOclub on IG and fill out this NKO Club Nomination form to submit a friend and fellow club member for their rightful place in the spotlight!