Deep breathing activates our relaxation response which counteracts stress and relieves conditions such as anxiety, insomnia and high blood pressure. 🌼
Research shows the body can start repairing itself at a cellular level with just 15 minutes of relaxation.
Ways to improve our breathing include: 🌳
1. Breathe through the nose instead of the mouth
2. Slow down the breath
3. Practice holding the breath
4. Work on increasing lung capacity
Ways to increase lung capacity:
1. Stay active/ exercise regularly 🏃♀️
2. Watch your posture
3. Stay hydrated 💦
4. Practice breathing exercises
5. Sing! 🎶
Examples of deep breathing exercises include: 🪷
1. Diaphragmatic (deep abdominal) breathing
2. Pursed lip breathing – breathe in through the nose and breathe out slowly through pursed lips
3. Box breathing (aka autogenic breathing) – breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4
4. 4-7-8 Breathing – breathe in for 4, hold for 7, breathe out for 8