The Power of Nunchi by Euny Hong

Author:Euny Hong
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2019-11-04T16:00:00+00:00

Step 1: Return to Nunchi Rule #1, and empty your mind

How you go about this is different for everyone, and it might take you time to learn what works for you. When I was a kid and was taking part in piano competitions, as soon as I sat at the piano, I’d say to myself, “I’m not here.” Euny the person is absent; only Euny the pianist is present. I still do this in social situations and job interviews—any time when I need a moment of clarity.

For the vast majority of people, the best shortcut to centering yourself is to breathe deeply. It doesn’t matter whether you do it in front of everyone or duck into the bathroom; just do it. I know telling people to breathe is a cliché, but that doesn’t mean it’s invalid. As I’m sure you’ve been told many times, deep breaths reduce anxiety and clear the head. This creates a clean path for your nunchi to work.

Two very effective breathing techniques are the 4-7-8 and box breathing. Both techniques will trigger your brain to slow down the release of cortisol—the stress hormone.

The 4-7-8 technique was popularized by wellness expert Dr. Andrew Weil; the numbers represent breath counts. Inhaling is done through the nose, exhaling through the mouth. To use this technique, inhale for four counts, hold your breath for seven counts, and exhale for eight counts; repeat. Why the weird irregular numbers? Precisely because they’re irregular, you have to concentrate on counting. This distracts the mind while the oxygen relaxes it.

Box breathing is so called because it is done in four stages. Inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts, hold for four counts; repeat.

If you’re already engaged in conversation, just do one abbreviated version: breathe in for four counts, then out for four counts, while the other person is talking. Just once is fine.

If you’re feeling too much anxiety for breathing to work, go to the bathroom and run ice-cold water over your wrists for five minutes (it’s better to dip your face in water, but this could ruin your makeup). Some people believe this triggers what is known as the “mammalian dive response,” which is to say that if you trick your instinctive brain into thinking you are going underwater, your body responds by slowing down to prevent drowning.

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