It works for every situation. Breathe in. Breathe out. No matter what the situation is, breathing mindfully can help. Whether it is a physical situation or a problem solving crisis, deep, mindful breathing will restore an internal sense of balance and calm.
The following is a two step plan that involves breathing properly to make things better in your life, and the basics are practiced by almost everyone already. This form of stress relief and self-help can be learned and implemented quickly.
The Elements of Breathing
Oxygen rich air enters the lungs when you breathe in. The air is separated in our lungs and the oxygen we need is retained while the carbon dioxide is expelled during the exhalation process.
Oxygen is a key player in the process of physically powering our thought process as well as our bodies. Unfortunately, when we need to think most clearly is often when we fail to breath deeply.
Being aware of how you breathe instinctively in given situations will give you the information you need to make the two step recovery plan work in your life. First, pay attention to how you breathe while watching television, cooking dinner, and preparing for bed. Next, spend some time noting how you breathe while at work, traveling from one place to another and interacting with people.
Lastly, make note of how you breathe while working out at the gym, disagreeing with someone, giving a presentation, or feeling stressed or anxious in any way. Writing your findings down in black and white on paper often helps significantly when looking for breathing patterns.
The Benefits of Breathing Properly
Once you know how you breathe in these given situations you will be able to determine where your breathing pattern is working for you or against you. Holding your breath or breathing shallowly are common behaviors in stressful situations which work against the person trying to solve problems.
When someone is stressed or tense, taking the time to breathe deeply can greatly improve one's ability to think clearly and relax. Health organizations agree that breathing is one of the most powerful of all stress management tools because it produces quick and visible results.
Sometimes adding the words "I am..." as you slowly inhale and "relaxed" with the equally slow exhale helps in metering breaths. If adding a few words helps to achieve slow deep breaths, add it to your two step recovery plan.
Recovering from a physically stressful workout, releasing emotional anxiety, or relieving work-related stress can be swiftly achieved through a recovery plan associated with deep breathing.
More from this Author:
A Thyroid Storm is an Emergency
Can Complex Carbohydrates Lead to Fat?
References:
Emedicine
 |
