Breathing comes naturally to us from the instant we are born. We breathe without even thinking about it, and for that reason, we stop paying attention of how our breathing affects the way we feel. We notice that our breathing changes when we engage in physical activity or when we have a respiratory problem, but it is less likely for us to notice our breathing when we are stressed or when we feel anxious.
Knowing how to breathe properly can make a difference in the way we feel. For example, when we are experiencing stress and we are breathing with our chest, our body will have a hard time releasing the stress.
So how shall we breathe? First of all, notice how you normally breathe. Are you using your nose or your mouth? Are you breathing with your chest or your stomach? Is your breathing silent and smooth or do you make noises as you breathe? When you are aware of how you breathe, it is easier to identify what you need to correct.
Let's talk about the proper way of breathing in general. We should inhale and exhale throughout the nose. The nose filters the air and warms it up before reaching the lungs which is not the case when using our mouth to breathe.
We should also use our stomach for breathing instead of breathing with the chest. This is so we promote the parasympathetic system to get activated. The parasympathetic system helps the body stay calm which is the normal state of the body. When we use our chest to breathe, we are hyperventilating which activates the sympathetic system which promotes stress and it is not the normal state of our body.
Breathing consciously can help release stress, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, improve mental clarity and emotional well-being.
Now that you are more aware of the power of breathing, you can pay attention to your breathing on a daily basis. Use your breathing to help you feel better. There are different breathing techniques out there to explore if you want to work with something more specific. I use deep breathing with small pauses after each inhale to help me send more oxygen to my brain and reduce headaches instead of taking a pill. You can also find what works for you.
Your body can heal itself if you give it a chance, including the right environment, the right habits, the right food, and the right state of mind. Don't settle for less.