BREATHING TO RELAX? THAT’S A NO BRAINER!
When someone says, “just relax” or “chill out” does it make your blood boil?
Well it’s probably a sign that you REALLY need to relax (lol)
I don’t know about you, but I’ve tried various relaxation techniques. Meditation (half successful), yoga (not successful) and then I came across BREATHING. Well I figured I could do that since it’s what I do all day, every day!!
But guess what, it’s not as simple as that, because the breathing that most of us do every day is Shallow Breathing – that is, breathing through the chest rather than lower lungs and breathing through the mouth rather than the nose.
This type of quick breathing is often a result of our fast paced lifestyle. We’re always in a rush (guilty as charged!!).
But did you know that Rapid Breathing results in a surge of the stress hormone cortisol, increases blood pressure and limits the amount of oxygen we need for optimal health. Not ideal.
The Key To Relaxation is SLOW BREATHING. I’ve tested it (yep took a bullet for you) and can attest to the fact that it WORKS!
And the bonus it that you can do it anywhere, anytime, no equipment required (also, it’s a sort of meditation, so it ticks that box too!)
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF DEEP BREATHING ARE…
Clearer skin due to increased oxygen intake
Calms the mind
Helps centre thoughts
Lowers heart rate
Lowers blood pressure
Improves mood
Here Are My 3 Top Breathing Exercises To Get You Started…
4 — 5 — 6
Close your eyes, take a big breath in to the count of 4.
Hold your breath for the count of 5
Then let it out slowly to the count of 6.
Repeat approx. 5-10 times.
DOUBLE THE BREATH OUT
Breath-in for a count of 5
Breath out, slowly, for a count of 10.
Repeat approx. 5-10 times.
ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING
A bit more concentration needed for this one but it really is relaxing!
Using your right index finger close the right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril.
At the peak of inhalation, switch to closing the left nostril and exhale through the right nostril.
Now breath in through the right nostril, at the peak of inhalation, switch to closing the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril.
Repeat as often as you like.
SHARE this post to help others that need to CHILL and if you need help to relieve and manage stress then check out my programs that are designed to IMPROVE your Gut Health — and thus your mood — click HERE or if you want to eat your way back to health — one meal at a time — check out my Gut Health Recipe Compendium. Nat xx