Deep breathing helps calm concerns, stress and anxiety. Breathing well to live better is a principle of physical and mental well-being that requires our attention between the haste and pressures we live with every day. In turn, and just as interesting, does this type of breathing allow us to connect much better with ourselves, with our needs in life?
Many cultures see the respiratory process as something more than this apparently involuntary act that guarantees our survival and to which we do not pay attention, many of us are part of this hyperventilated world and suddenly, when we feel the need or the curiosity to practice yoga, Mindfulness or Tai-Chi, we realize that breathing is more than taking in air and then expelling it again.
- In this rhythmic process of expansion and contraction.
- Does breathing also represent the constant polarity we see in nature.
- Such as day and night.
- Such as awakening and sleep.
- Such as calm and storm.
- Winter and spring?It’s a cycle that has guidelines.
- And its moments.
- Its inner music and its incredible benefits if done correctly.
Most of us breathe quickly and superficially, without using the full capacity of our lungs, in a normal state we breathe between 17 and 18 times per minute, however, when we suffer from anxiety or stress, the number of this breathing rate soars, reaching up to 30 breaths, is a risk. It’s like living with a sword of Damocles over your head, generating a progressive imbalance that will affect your blood pressure, immune system, muscles and even your mind.
However, something as simple as breathing deeply and doing so with control generates a systemic advantage, balancing various processes and providing an outlet for many of those negative emotions that afflict our daily lives.
Why don’t we learn to breathe well and live better?
There is a very important fact that deserves at least a little reflection: breathing is one of the few bodily functions that we perform both voluntarily and involuntarily, this is a great opportunity to control our body, to improve our quality of life, if we can exercise. this control intelligently.
He thinks that voluntary and conscious breathing can influence how we breathe when we breathe automatically, improving blood pressure, heart rate, circulation, digestion and many other bodily functions.
It is quite possible that some of our readers wonder if there is scientific evidence that deep breathing is actually as positive and beneficial as Eastern cultures explain to us, it should be noted that what several studies tell us, such as that published in the scientific journal Harvard Health, is that what benefits our body the most is slow breathing.
When we breathe deeply, but especially slowly, we can make sure that oxygen actually reaches the cells and that the CO2 LEVEL in the blood does not decrease. In turn, scientists also concluded that the type of breathing that benefits Most of us is diaphragmatic breathing: the one in which we take air deeply, letting it enter through the nose and reach the lungs completely, lifting the lower abdomen.
Everyone, at some point in their lives, heard the famous phrase “it’s nothing, take a deep breath. ” It is like a spell, like a magic word that, as soon as it is put into practice, generates a general well-being, an almost immediate Relief that calms the body and reorganizes the mind. This strategy would have many more benefits if we get used to practicing it daily, so that it becomes a habit.
Here are some changes we’d start noticing
As we said at the beginning, people breathe on average between 16 and 17 times per minute, our goal with deep breathing is to breathe 10 times per minute, of course we will not achieve it with the first session, but little by little and day by day we will achieve this feat, which will undoubtedly transform our well-being.
Learn how you can do it.
First, find a comfortable place to sit that allows you to keep your back straight. Your clothes should be comfortable, leaving your waist and abdomen free, without the classic pressure of jeans or belts.
Start with this pace and, as you take control, you can adjust the times to get an average of 10 breaths in a minute. Gradually, you will notice noticeable benefits in your physical health and adequate mental calm to better cope with everyday life.
Start experimenting today.