With each breath of air, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. An appropriate balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide is critical to our health. Poor breathing habits lessen the flow of these gases, making it more difficult to cope with stressful situations. Shallow chest breathing patterns contribute to anxiety, panic attacks, depression, muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue, as not enough oxygen flows to the brain and not enough carbon dioxide leaves the body.
All of us have the power to heal ourselves because our bodies contain a natural healing system. One way to effect this change is through diaphragmatic breathing. By making our breathing deeper, slower, quieter and more regular, we are able to create positive changes inside our bodies that will in turn produce benefits to our overall mental and physical health. Individuals who practice these abdominal breathing techniques say that it has improved their digestion and circulation, corrected irregular heartbeats, helped them relax, cured insomnia, and lessened anxiety states, to name just some benefits. Breathwork helps center the mind, allowing us to work more effectively and to deal with challenges more productively.
Watch Dr. Andrew Weil in the 2:43 minute video link below discuss the benefits of a daily breathing practice.
This is something I’ve been meaning to make habitual. I’ll definitely commit. Thanks for the tips and sharing the video.
Great Cherry-Ann! Follow the breathe.