Breathing is such a primary function for our survival that can be used to reduce stress and stimulate good health. Notice that your breath is fast, short and shallow when you are angry, afriad or under stress and how you naturally take deeper, slower and longer breaths when you are in peaceful and relaxed. This is to say that with breath awareness and conscious relaxation, you can enhance your ability to cope with life’s increasing pace and take control of all aspects of your health in general. Deep breathing also enhances concentration and eases pain. Research has even shown that breathing correctly helps to burn fat, makes your skin glow and corrects hormone imbalances, in addition to lowering blood pressure, improving digestion and increases blood circulation and decreases overall anxiety.
Many people have unknowingly adopted bad breathing habits. By changing breathing patterns and consciously breathing deeply into the abdomen, you can create a state of relaxation. Deep breathing calms both the body and mind by slowing down the heart rate and easing the nervous system. However, many people rush around, shallow-breathing their way through life and wonder why they always feel stressed, unwell and out of breath.
By learning simple breathing exercises and by becoming more mindful of the art as well as the act of breathing, you can greatly help your your mind and body. It is recommended that you practice twice daily for a minimum of five uninterrupted minutes using the following steps:
- Sit in a chair, with your back straight but not rigid.
- Relax your shoulders and place your palms on either side of the abdomen.
- Inhale slowly through the nose, drawing air into the abdomen to fill and expand it and then up through your middle, expanding the chest.
- Repeat 2-3 times.
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