Take 5: Breathe (yeah, again!)
I know this was the topic of a very recent Take 5 but it’s so important that I wanted to revisit it and tell you more about why breathing is so important and how you should be breathing. Below is an excerpt from Cheryl Miller’s site.
What really made me stop and take note of the importance of breathing is learning that ‘ shallow breathing activates the stress response” obviously a response that nobody wants!
Read what Cheryl has to say about how to do deep breathing and then do it - I guarantee you will feel more relaxed. What else can you do to relax that’s easier than breathing?
Energy Tip for the Day – Relaxing, Energizing Breathing
Everything starts with the breath. The body discharges 70% of its toxins through breathing. The breath also helps you disconnect from an over focus on intellectual activities and tune into your body. Deep, relaxed breathing is the transition back to your body, back to mindfulness, peacefulness and relaxation.Shallow breathing activates the stress response and leads to fatigue, irritability and stress. Deep, relaxed breathing activates the relaxation response. It also rejuvenates and nourishes the body.
Blood circulation is greatest in the bottom third of your lungs, so deep breathing allows for optimum exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Here’s how to do deep breathing: Sit quietly and take a deep breath from your abdomen. Slowly fill your middle torso and then your upper lungs. After a slight pause, release the breath fully and completely making the exhale longer than the inhale. Press the air out completely by tightening your stomach muscles. To experience greater relaxation and energy, repeat 1-3 times.
After completion, if you feel light headed or if you yawn, that’s a sign that your body needed the extra oxygen you got from doing this exercise.
