When you are under stress, your muscles tense and your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. One of the simplest ways to stop this stress response is to breathe deeply and slowly. Deep breathing involves taking deep, even breathes that come from your stomach. When done correctly deep breathing can provide great health benefits including a reduction in tension, stress and blood pressure and improvements in sleep and energy levels.
Simple Deep Breathing Exercise
1. Sit in a comfortable position with your hands on your knees.
2. Relax your shoulders.
3. Begin by breathing through your nose. Inhale for 5 counts, tense your stomach muscles, drawing in your diaphram to help your lungs inflate.
4. Breathe out slowly for 5 counts.
5. At the bottom of your breath, pause for 2 counts, then inhale slowly to the count of 5.
6. Expand your belly as you breathe in.
7. Close your eyes and repeat 5 - 10 times.
Try to make deep breathing a habit.
You can practice your breathing exercises almost anywhere. Next time your sitting in traffic, on the bus, waiting in a queue - give it a go.
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