Self Care September Day Twelve: Deep breathing for deeper health.
Breathing exercises have been an integral part of my life as a musician since my earliest days in band. This ability to enter and effectively breathe correctly is not only important for longevity but also to effectively boost mood and keep your performing at your best. Let dive into the benefits of deep breathing and why you should make it part of your everyday living.
Detoxifies
Your body is designed to release 70% of its toxins through breathing. Exhaling air from your lungs allows you to release CO2 that has journeyed through your bloodstream and into your lungs. CO2 is a natural byproduct of your body’s metabolism.
Tension relief
Tension occurs when constriction or tightening occurs. We easily do this when we are angry, scared, or stressed. Muscles constrict and breathing becomes shallow. Taking that big, deep breathe opens everything up and allows your to relax, even for just moment.
Brings clarity
Oxygenation of the brain reduces excessive anxiety levels and promotes a centering and rejuvenating feeling. Paying particular attention to your breathing, you can breathe slowly, deeply and purposefully to bring on clarity in stressful moments.
Promotes good posture
Good breathing techniques over a sustained period of time will encourage good posture. Bad body posture will result of incorrect breathing so this is such an important process by getting your posture right from early on you will see great benefits.
Knowing some of the great perks of deep breathing.. how do you get started?Just try these three super simple steps:
- Inhale through your nose, expanding your belly, then fill your chest. Counting to 5 and trying to increase all the way to a count of 10.
- Hold and Count to 5.
- Exhale fully through your mouth. Counting to 10.
