Relax....just breathe....

Relax….just breathe….
Continuing with our posts on reducing stress and increasing alertness, let’s talk about breathing. It’s something that we do pretty much do all the time; but is our breathing helping or hurt us? Now of course if we didn’t breathe it would really hurt, but I am not talking about that; I am talking about breathing to reduce stress, calm your nerves and help clear your head.

Nowadays it’s hard to find time to relax and really think about things. But honestly, relaxation doesn’t have to take long or be big a production. It can be accomplished by simply breathing. All it takes is 5-10 minutes once or twice a day and your complete concentration.

The Payback.
Taking some time once or twice a day to practice and eventually perfect proper breathing techniques will help in several ways. Here are just a few of the benefits: it will help lower your blood pressure, reduce headaches, aid your digestion, decrease your fatigue and increase your energy.

Still Skeptical?
It’s understandable to be a bit disbelieving when it comes to the benefits of deep breathing. For one many people are worried that it sounds too simple to really have a true positive effect. Others don’t feel as though they can make time in their already over-booked daily lives. And for some because of the perceived association with meditation and eastern religions, deep breathing has been seen as a path to “foreign ways”; which is not a path some want to walk down.

Deep breathing is however not a path to magical religions, it’s just a natural way to help reset your body, clear your mind and bring you into a more relaxed state of mind. It’s rational, healthy and best of all, free! Don’t worry, you won’t need to pose in some crazy position or chant a mystical chorus; unless or course you want to. You just need to sit or lie down and relax. If you mind is racing uncontrollably it might help to count each breath; inhale, exhale “one”; inhale, exhale “two” and so on continuing until five and then restarting. You know your mind has been wandering when you are all the sudden at 11 or 19. Counting your breaths is just a technique to help keep your mind from wandering to more distracting thoughts or worrisome concerns. You don’t want to make the time you spend deep breathing thinking about work, planning your weekend, agonizing over dinner plans or worrying about bills. You should relax and just focus on breathing…..

Deep Breathing Exercise Techniques to Try
To practice deep breathing, you will need five-ten minutes of uninterrupted time and a timer.
1. The first step is to give yourself permission to practice deep breathing, forgetting any ideas of multi-tasking. Promise yourself 5-10 minutes, once or twice a day, every day.
2. Turn off the cell phone, shut the office door (or go sit in your car) and make sure you can give your full attention to doing nothing. When was the last time you did that?
3. Get yourself in a comfortable position. You may be sitting or lying down: it doesn't matter.
4. Loosen tight clothes, and take off your shoes if they aren't comfortable.
5. Set your timer for 10 minutes (or 5 if you're just starting and fear that 10 minutes of sitting quietly may drive you mad. It won't, though, and you can work your way up to it gradually.)
6. Relax your body. Those muscles you usually suck in; let go of em. Let your face droop. Too many of us hold lots of tension in our jaws and foreheads; especially if you're prone to headaches, relaxing your face will be most helpful.
7. Close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. Usually, the chest rises when you breathe. In deep breathing, your stomach will rise. Feel your stomach rising and falling. If your mind is racing, count your breaths. Otherwise, just concentrate on your breathing. Usually, your mind will wander, so when it does, gently remind it that you are just breathing now and will think of other things later. Don't get mad at yourself, and don't give up after only a few tries.
And that's all there is to it. Try this exercise today and see if it makes you feel better…..I betcha it will!

As always thanks for stopping by and keep 'em loaded!

Best,
GLA