The Power of Deep Breathing
This is the time of year when things start to pile up. The to do lists get long, the pile on your desk is never ending, and you're tired. And when all of that creates a sense of being overwhelmed, we are not at our best. What can we do to help ourselves? Here is something very simple, and very effective.
Mindful breathing - paying attention to your breath and learning how to manipulate it - is one of the most beneficial ways to reduce everyday stress levels, and improve your health. Mindful, deep breathing can help relax you, as well as sharpen your ability to concentrate. Breathing is the way we bring oxygen to the brain. When you are anxious, afraid, or stressed, your muscles become tight and your breathing gets shallow - which limits the amount of oxygen your body gets. 5-10 minutes of deep breathing (belly breaths) activates our relaxation system, and many internal reactions happen - such as mental focus, reduction of stress, increased joy, and inner enthusiasm. It's as simple as taking a mindful breath - just inhale and exhale.
Training your mind to focus on one thing - your breathing - without bouncing from one thought to the next - is a great way to manage stress, calm your mind, and improve your overall well being!
As always, please let me know how I can best support you. And have a great week!
Sue
WebMD breathing techniques (website)
4-7-8 breathing (website)
Deep Breathing Exercises (video, American Lung Association)
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