“Breathing affects you respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, muscular, and psychic systems, and also has a general affect on your sleep, memory, ability to concentrate, and your energy levels.”
– Donna Farhi
If you’re new to the idea of breathing exercises, the idea of focusing on what your body is naturally doing might seem absurd. But intentionally breathing isn’t just about controlling your intake and release of oxygen and carbon dioxide. By practicing healthier breathing, you can improve your health and sense of wellbeing.
What Breathing Can Do
Here are some of the benefits deep breathing can bring you:
- Relaxed muscles – relaxed muscles help release tension.
- Better oxygen – when your cells get better oxygen, they function better.
- Lower blood pressure
- Endorphin release – these help you feel better and relieve pain.
- Better detoxification – cleansing your body can free-up energy for other important stuff.
A Simple Exercise
There are many breathing exercises. Some target specific conditions, such as relaxation, anxiety and sleep. Others are used in meditation and mindfulness practices. But, regardless of the pattern, they all come down to the basic components of inhaling and exhaling.
For starters,
- Begin by sitting in a comfortable chair
- Sit up straight with your back upright
- Put your feet on the floor
- Place your hands on your knees
- Inhale slowly and deeply through you nostrils. Your abdomen should expand
- Exhale slowly through your mouth and let the air out of your lungs. Your abdomen should contract
Intentional breathing, when done right, has tremendous health benefits. It is a practically free way to enhance your quality of life, wherever you are. Why not give it a try and add a few minutes a day to your routine?
Does the exercise help you?
Please share in the comments below.