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Sit Back, Breathe, and Relax |
 Want a free, always available, easy to use relaxation tool? Learn how to breathe.
Okay, so you already know how to breathe or you wouldn't be alive. But breathing can be much more than just an essential survival component in your life. Using some simple breathing techniques can be a valuable relaxation tool, as well as enhance your health in general.
Do you know why you should breathe through your nose? Taking in air through your nasal passages tells your body to be in a “rest and restore” mode. Breathing through your mouth communicates “fight or flight”. Which state do you think is more relaxing? (Yeah, I’d go with the nose, too!) Breathing through your nose actually lets you take in more oxygen. Also, your nasal passages are much, much better at filtering the air you breathe than your mouth and throat are.
While at first it may seem silly to “practice” breathing, it’s really about learning to enhance your respiration. It’s no coincidence that meditation and yoga, known for their stress-relieving benefits, focus so much on breathing. There are even specific breath techniques such as “Breath of Fire” in Kundalini Yoga, with the goal of releasing anxiety, eliminating toxins, and reducing cravings.
Incorporate simple breathing sessions into your day to relax and restore your body and mind.
Some quick tips for your breathing “exercises”:
1. Breathe through your nose. Mouth breathing communicates stress to your body.
2. Sit up straight, either on the floor with legs crossed or in a chair with both feet flat on the ground.
3. Allow your abdomen, ribs, and chest to expand and contract as you breathe in and out.
4. Pace yourself. Try one minute a day or five slow in/out breaths. Work up to five minutes.
5. Enhance your sessions by blocking out all other sounds and distractions. Use Natura, one of our screensavers, or our Ocean Bliss mp3.
Sit back, breathe, and relax.
Learn more about the benefits of enhancing your breathing:
"Deep breathing - the truly essential exercise" by Marcell Pick (while this site focuses on women, this information is applicable to both genders!)
"Learn to Breathe Correctly" from HolisticOnline
"How to Relax (and Lower Your Cortisol Levels): A Golden Key to Your Health" by Mary Maddux
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