“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present” ~Bil Keane
Do you pay attention to your breathing?
We live in such a fast-paced life with so much clutter that we go about our daily lives completely unaware of our breathing. Many of us are so busy that we breathe too shallow and even hold our breath when we are concentrating, showering, working, driving, etc. Seminars have been conducted for years on the topic of “breathing.” Your breath is life and without it you would not be alive. Breathing also has many benefits:
- It brings more oxygen into your body and cells
- It relaxes you reducing stress
- It brings your attention to the present moment
- It helps you to focus when needed
- It helps to ground you
- It improves lung function and quality of life
- It physically moves and releases negative feelings and emotions
- Reduces tension, pain, anxiety, and depression
- Lowers blood pressure
- Stimulates the lymphatic system
- Regulates the nervous system
Oxygenating your body and cells with focused breathing promotes healing and prevents illness as well as improving lung function. This is why we are advised to exercise. When we exercise, our body functions at a higher-level allowing oxygen into our cells, making us less susceptible to disease. We have trillions of cells that provide energy needed to carry out every brain function, body movement, organ function, and other needs of our body. Each cell has only two needs to produce this energy: nutrition and oxygen. Lack of oxygen can result in health challenges while intentional breathing promotes a healthy environment.
Intentional breathing also creates awareness within ourselves of our thoughts and feelings allowing us to focus and reduce stress. We can physically create movement and release of uncomfortable feelings and emotions with certain breathing techniques. Focused breathing quiets the mind and helps you live in the present moment versus dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Remaining ignorant of our breathing creates distress in our mental, emotional, and physical bodies. So, from now on pay attention to your breathing when you are going about the normal activities in your daily life. This awareness and simple practice will begin to reduce your stress level and improve the quality of your life. There are many forms of breathing activities and below I will offer you an easy condensed version I call Belly Breathing.
Lie down with one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach. When you breathe, take air in slowly and deeply bringing air all the way down to your belly button. If you are doing this correctly your chest should not rise, but rather your stomach, expanding your ribs and belly. Hold for a short time and release the air slowly. Practice this technique throughout each day to develop a habit and you will reap the benefits.
