Learn How to Reduce Stress With Deep Breathing
Stress is one of the biggest factors for speeding up
the aging process and the breakdown of the body. Chronic stress
depletes the body of nutrients and destabilizes brain chemistry.
Depression, muscle tension, chronic pain, insomnia, weight gain, lack
of motivation and a host of other conditions are all related to stress.
Stress has even been shown to help cause certain diseases, because a
chronic stress taxes the immune system, making it far easier to get
sick.
But, there is a simple and fast remedy to reducing stress:
deep breathing. Deep breathing is the fastest way to trigger your
parasympathetic nervous system through what has been called the body's
relaxation response. Research shows that deep breathing has the
potential to significantly calm the mind and body.
When someone
is stressed, their body begins to tense up and they either hold their
breath or take rapid, small breaths. The heart beats at an accelerated
rate and the muscles clench as adrenaline enters the bloodstream. When
stress levels return to normal, people will sometimes exhale a deep
breath, signaling the brain it is okay to relax. Breath is the fastest
way the body's multiple systems can communicate, transitioning from
high pressure situations to relaxation in just a few seconds. If deep
breathing continues after the stressful situation has ended, the heart
rate continues to decrease, the lungs expand and the muscles relax.
For
thousands of years Eastern cultures have known of the importance of
breathing to achieve a balance between the body and the mind. This
balance results in a more tranquil state of being, dramatically reduces
stress and helps maintain a more resilient physiology. Much of the
benefit derived from Yoga, and t'ai chi is due to the fact that they
combine deep breathing and movement to support a steady central nervous
response.
Deep breathing is one of the fastest, easiest ways to
return the body back to a balanced relaxed state after a stressful
situation. It can be done anywhere, at any time. For example: when you
get angry, just start fully exhaling and inhaling. That alone will
create a small amount of space between you and the situation. Try
breathing from deep within your belly instead of just from your lungs.
You will be amazed at how quickly you start to calm down.
There
are many different breathing techniques that may be used, but the
bottom line is that you receive more benefit from using deep breathing
on a regular basis. So write yourself a sticky note and put it on your
steering wheel, on your computer, in your kitchen, or where ever you
need to relax. It's easy and the benefits are far reaching. We strongly
suggest learning more about the right way to exercise so you can get
the most out of your workouts and improve the quality of your life.
