Deep Breathing and an Online Practice!
This is not new to anyone who has been to this website prior to this day. We will tout the benefits of mindful breathing on a regular basis, as it is the actual cornerstone of any other relaxation technique you undertake.
Deep breathing is a powerful tool that can be practiced almost anywhere, and will provide you with a quick way to get your stress levels in check. You can use this tool at work, in the car at a stop sign, during class, at home, and even prior to a job interview or test.
The physiology of your body (the way the body works and responds to what you do to it) is such that if you pay attention to your full cleansing breaths, you will reap benefits in the stress management arena that you never dreamed could be so easy and readily available.
Learn this skill and rewire your brain.
How to breathe deeply
The key to the whole process is to breathe deeply from the abdomen, getting as much fresh air as possible to your lungs. When you think of your abdomen, think of it as a balloon, filling from the bottom to the top. Shallow breathing happens in your upper chest. Deep abdominal breathing actually makes you feel less tense, less short of breath, less anxious, and provides optimal oxygen to your lungs and entire body.
Your neck and shoulders will relax and your brain will receive the oxygen you need to think more intelligently, and respond with a calmer demeanor, as opposed to responding with raw emotion.
Your brain needs fifty percent more oxygen than the rest of your body, and when you use deep breathing you are satisfying all the needs of this wonderful human machine.
To truly get in the habit of this kind of breathing, it would be perfect if you take just ten minutes a day and find a quiet place to stretch out and practice.
If this is impossible, then shame on you – you will never be able to manage all the stresses in this day and age if you can’t provide yourself with a ten minute recess to regenerate. After all, you are reading to find a resolve, so please find that time period each day.
If you simply refuse to believe you can be allotted that time, then begin by taking a few minutes right here, and right now, to practice this easy and effective method.
Do it now
Sit comfortably with your back straight, and place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdominal area.
Breathe in through your nose and feel the hand on your abdominal area rise as you begin to feel the balloon. The hand on your chest should move very little.
Exhale through your mouth and push out as much air as you can while your contract you’re abdominal muscles, emptying from the bottom upward. The hand on your stomach should move in as you exhale but the other hand move very little.
Continue inhaling and exhaling in this manner. Inhale enough so that your lower abdominal area rises and falls. Count slowly as you exhale and remember you are emptying the area for fresh oxygen to regenerate and relax you.
Do this for a minute or two, several times a day. If you cannot do it perfectly do not worry about it. Practice will help. As you do this you will be using the number one tool and you WILL REAP BENEFITS IMMEDIATELY. Though it seems too easy to believe, IT WILL HAPPEN.
(When at home, if you are having a difficult time doing this, place a small book on your stomach and try to breathe so the book rises as you inhale and falls as you exhale.)
Learn to breathe and make 2010 the best year ever for family, friends, and yourself!
CREATE a wonderful day and use this Free and Portable tool!
Marsha J. O’Brien
http://www.stressmanagementmagic.com/2010/02/contest-stress-free/
