Stress Less Breathe More
Written by Dara Sweatt
Your breath is a powerful tool. I know what you're thinking, DUH. But what if I told you that your breath could help you ease anxiety, depression, and other stress-related issues?
If you're anything like me, during moments of stress, your thoughts may steer toward past regrets and worries about the future. I have had countless moments where I've found myself in panic mode trying to catch a full breath when it seems nearly impossible because I'm in emotional overload.
When I first learned about breath practices, I was like yeah right, but then when I got over myself and decided to actually give them a try, I was mind blown at how well they actually work.
Breath practices are a great way to become more in touch with your mind, body and spirit. Deep, conscious breathing can be used as an anchor to stay in the present moment. Your conscious breath can also be used to feel the energy of your emotions, especially the uncomfortable ones that you may try to escape.
When I'm in the middle of those moments, I will take five deep breaths. Counting to 5 or 10 on each inhale and exhale. In, Out. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.
Don't mistake this as a way to completely remove what you're feeling, but understand that it can help you calm your nerves and think more clearly rather than just reacting.
Breath work has other benefits, too. It can increase alertness and oxygen flow and allow your body to release toxins more readily. Although breathing is something your body naturally does, it's also a skill that can be sharpened.
There are two different types of breath:
Chest breathing, which uses secondary muscles in your upper chest. Chest breathing is designed to be used in situations of great exertion, such as a sprint or race. During stressful situations, you may inadvertently resort to chest breathing. This can lead to tight shoulder and neck muscles and sometimes even headaches. Chronic stress can magnify these symptoms.
Diaphragmatic breathing, which comes from the body's dominant breathing muscle — the diaphragm. This type of breathing is more effective and efficient. It can lead to feelings of relaxation instead of tightness.
During stressful moments, conscious breathing allows you to shift and release negative energy instead of storing it in your body. This is important, because stored-up energy often manifests as muscle tension and other physical ailments.
Something I have been using the past few months to help with my breathing is the Essential Oil Breathe. It maintains feelings of clear airways and easy breathing while minimizing the effects of seasonal threats. Not only has it helped with my workouts, but by using it in my diffusers at night and during the day, I feel the quality of my breath has skyrocketed.
Many studies have found that deep, yogic breathing helps balance the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions.
So take a breath and calm your nerves and heighten your overall health!
"Breathing is one of the simplest things in the world. We breathe in, we breathe out. When we breathe with real freedom, we neither grasp for nor hold on to the breath. ... The process of breathing is the most accurate metaphor we have for the way that we personally approach life, how we live our lives and how we react to the inevitable changes that life brings us." - Donna Farhi
