The Healing Power of Deep Breathing

Anyone struggling with catching your breath during exercise? Most of us are stressed, anxious & too busy, and that causes us to breathe in a shallow or “survival” way.  

Quick check: take a deep breath. Do your shoulders rise with your breath? Try again . If so, you are most likely breathing from only the top 2/3 of your lungs - these shallow breaths are not fully oxygenating your internal systems. We often fall into this pattern as a result of our bodies carrying stress and anxiety, sometimes digestive issues, or  lack of rest.

Chronic pain is also connect to low-oxygenated blood (for example: shin-splints, achy legs or feet, or side aches to name a few).

So, how do we fully oxygenate our blood, energize our bodies, and renew our parasympathetic nervous systems? Belly breathing or deep breaths that access our full lung capacity.

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, hands on your belly just under your bottom ribs, relax your shoulders. Take a deep breath in through your nostrils and feel your belly fill with air - exhale through your mouth.

Now, breathe in through your nose for for 4 counts (allow your belly to fully fill with air), hold for 4 counts, exhale for 8 counts (releasing carbon dioxide and other waste). You can also practice this exercise lying in bed (especially if you can’t sleep) - and you’ll be amazed and how your sleep and the quality of your rest improves!

Try taking full, deep breaths when running or walking and watch your endurance increase more quickly!