Breathing ExercisesStress Management ActivityBreathing exercises are a healthy way to relieve stress and anxiety.Breathing is a function our body takes part in consciously and unconsciously. Breathing supplies over 99% of oxygen to your body, and your energy. The different systems of the body depend on the oxygen that is delivered. Medical studies have shown that we have a need for what is called healthy breathing. Whether we realize it or not people have adopted the habit of poor breathing. What is poor breathing? What is healthy breathing? What effect does it have on my health? What is poor breathing? What is healthy breathing?Poor breathing is shallow short breaths. The act of not completely filling your lungs with the oxygen you need. It is the opposite of deep belly breathing. Healthy breathing is a rhythmic process of expansion and contraction. When you breathe you should take a deep breath allowing oxygen to fill your lungs. Your stomach should rise as well. This is not always possible, yet it is very healthy and benefits your body, and it's many functions.
What effects does poor breathing habits have on me physically?When you undergo emotional strain and stress your body reacts with many different responses. We all know our heart rate rises, our blood pressure rises, our muscles become tense, and we start to breathe in a shallow rapid fashion. In this state of mind our energy level depletes, and our concentration becomes impaired. This can become unhealthy if it continues to linger on a long term basis. In this state our sympathetic nervous system will become over stimulated. This over stimulation can lead to larger health problems. Some of them being; high blood pressure, overly tense muscles accompanied with muscle pain, and inflammation. As you know these are serious health risk factors that can lead to more serious health issues. Your body needs the oxygen you breathe, it helps power the different systems of your body. By failing to take part in healthy breathing you are limiting the oxygen supply to the systems, this means they do not function at optimum levels.
How do breathing exercises effect my stress level?Breathing exercises exercises causes stimulation to the parasympathetic nervous system. This system helps your body to relax from that stress response (or fight or flight response ) that was activated by your sympathetic nervous system. What is happening is your body is sending messages everywhere saying to calm down. Do not stress. By taking part in these simple but effective exercises you are decreasing your stress level. What are some overall benefits to breathing exercises?There are many benefits to deep breathing through breathing exercises. Every system in your body requires oxygen. The more oxygen delivered to the system the better it functions. Take for instance your digestive tract, by breathing deeply you are sending oxygen through the systems, allowing wastes and toxins to properly get disposed of, hence healthy digestive function. Other benefits are relief of anxiety, fatigue, improved energy level, decrease in blood pressure, weight loss, healthy circulation, inflammation prevention, healthy sleep patterns, mental clarity, and heart disease prevention. It is safe to say that oxygen is one of the most powerful forces in your health and breathing exercises are an effective stress management activity.
Healthy Breathing ExercisesAT HOME Step 1. Find a quiet place to lie down. Preferably a place where there is no distractions. Step 2. Close your eyes. Place your hand on your stomach. You need to do this so you can gage how far your stomach will rise. Step 3. Take a deep breath through your nose, allow your stomach to rise higher than your chest. Step 4.Exhale slowly. Continue this for two minutes, or as log as you feel you need. When you have finished your exercises sit up slowly, allow yourself a few seconds to gather your thoughts. AT WORK OR OUT Step 1. For this exercise you may sit or stand, do not close your eyes. Step 2. Take a deep breath through your nose, fill your lungs. Step 3. Exhale through your mouth slowly. Repeat this 5 to 8 times. Breathing exercises are growing in popularity. It is a safe, and natural way to reduce your stress level. One of the many reasons that working moms prefer breathing exercises is because they are convenient.These exercises can be done anywhere, and it's free.
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