Deep Breathing For Stress Relief

Deep Breathing For Stress Relief And Relaxation

Deep Breathing And Stress

If you are looking for stress relief, practicing deep breathing is one of the best services that you could be doing to yourself. In normal circumstances, taking a deep breath, by itself, is deeply relaxing. But, most of us are used to ‘shallow breathing’ using only 20% of our lung capacities.

Bad breathing habits lead to the imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. Correct breathing purifies the blood, provides more energy, and calms the mind and the body.

Have you ever paid attention to your breathing? The chances are it is shallow and rapid. This is one of the direct harmful effects of stress and tensions, which, unfortunately, are an inseparable part of the modern day lifestyle.

Going through the business of living exposes you to various tensions and stresses. One of the casualties is the quality of breathing. When you are deeply engrossed in your work, you tend to forget to take deep breaths. The same is true if life is full of tensions. Since this is true for most of the people, the deep breathing is all but forgotten.

Oxygen And Deep Breathing

The breathing serves two purposes: it helps in transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, and it helps in the elimination of waste products. The shallow breath fails to bring sufficient oxygen to the body, and also fails to cleanse the body of all the waste products. Oxygen is the most important nutrient of the body, each cell needs it. When the body does not receive the required amount of oxygen, it starts losing its vitality. There is a lack of overall energy.

The shallow breathing also weakens the disease fighting capacity of the body. You become more prone to diseases like common colds, heart diseases, anxiety attacks, etc. The lack of oxygen is also one of the factors responsible for cancer. The shallow breathing can result in sleep disorders, anxiety, stomach upset, heartburn, and dizziness.

The blood stream takes oxygen to all parts of the body. The oxygen purifies the blood and helps in burning the waste products. It provides energy to all parts of the body. More oxygen will clear your mind, rejuvenate your skin and energize your whole body. On the other hand, lack of oxygen will lead to mental sluggishness, lack of focus, depression and anxiety.

Your brain requires the most amount of oxygen. In old age, when arteries get clogged, and supply of blood and oxygen to brain is reduced, people become senile, irritable and dull.

The Science Of Correct Breathing

In eastern cultures, the science of correct breathing is practiced with great earnest. In Yoga too, breathing is given paramount importance. The science of breathing is known as Pranayama. The breath is known as ‘prana’ or life-force. It is the point where the body and the mind interact. By learning to breathe properly, a yogi achieves perfect balance between the body and the mind.

Learning to breathe properly will take you a long way towards a better mental and physical health, help you in managing your stress levels, and maintain general good health.

Deep Breathing For Stress Relief And Relaxation

Deep Breathing And Stress

Oxygen And Deep Breathing

The Science Of Correct Breathing

Further Reading