Post date: 1/17/2017
How many times have you heard the phrase, “take a deep breath”? Throughout your life, you’ve probably noticed that stopping to breathe can help you feel calmer and regain your composure. Regardless of the reason, controlling your breathing can be helpful in many ways.
Breathing exercises have long been touted by everyone from health care professionals and psychologists to yoga instructors and meditation experts as a secret to feeling great daily. By learning breathing exercises ahead of time, you can call on them when you need them most.
Here are four breathing exercises that may help you cope in stressful and overwhelming situations.
Please note that if you start feeling lightheaded or dizzy at any point during the breathing exercises, stop and make sure you are sitting safely until the feeling passes.
When you wake up in the morning, your first instinct is to stretch and take a deep breath. Your body knows that’s what it needs most. Morning breathing can also help you relieve feelings of muscle stiffness and feel better overall after a night’s sleep. Here are a few tips to help you start your day off right:
This type of breathing allows you to meditate or lets your mind wander.
Try to do this for at least five minutes every day. For a more focused experience, consider trying out these meditation mantras.
This way of breathing can also be helpful if you have breathing difficulties caused by a condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or if you are feeling particularly anxious. Pursed-lip breathing slows down your breathing and makes it easier to breathe overall.
When we experience pain, we often hold our breath or breathe in shallow breaths to try to limit any further discomfort. Unfortunately, doing this only serves to increase the stress response and increase pain. If you are experiencing pain, try some deep breathing and relaxation exercises to relieve some of that pain.
The common theme among all methods is to take your time and try to relax. As your breathing techniques improve, you’ll discover they’ll quickly become an automatic response. Soon you’ll be breathing with ease often.
Looking for more tips on how to feel your best? Check out free resource, The Vitality Guide: Nutrition, Exercise and Health Care for Seniors.