Just Keep Breathing: How to Breathe for Improved Overall Health
We all do it on autopilot. From the moment we’re born, we start breathing without instruction. So then why would we ever need to learn something even babies can do? Hear me out. Did you know there are science-based benefits to breathing correctly?
In today’s modern world, we are constantly moving. Hence, there’s no time to think of breathing. Multitasking is a second language we’re all fluent in and hustling is a must. People are looking for side gigs and passive income to add to their full-time careers for more financial freedom. This is incredible and worth admiring but can come at the cost of our breath.
Fast-Paced Lives Lead to Shallow Harmful Breathing
Due to this fast pace, we can often experience burnout, stress, mental health disorders, and a plethora of physical ailments. Without pausing to take a break, take a breath, we leave ourselves vulnerable to illness, both physical and mental.
Recent scientific research shows that rapid, shallow, or senseless breathing can contribute to several problems, including anxiety, depression, and high blood pressure. Therefore, we must take time for conscious, deep, and purposeful breathing. The techniques themselves are not difficult and can be added to your day easily.
Deep breathing, a very simple exercise that requires attention, has amazing health benefits and leads to a huge improvement in overall wellbeing.
Benefits of Breathing Deep
Breathing is connected to our emotions. When fear, anger, stress, or nerves are felt, hyperventilation can occur, rapid breaths that induce panic. The brain perceives a threat and accelerates the delivery of blood to the muscles to prepare them for fight or flight.
This is normal in emergencies for our survival, but it should not be activated unnecessarily, as it will create problems in the body. For this reason, deep, slow, and rhythmic breathing can help. It slows down the heart rate, allows the muscles to relax, and calms the brain so it does not perceive false dangers.
One of the best anti-stress mechanisms is to consciously take several deep breaths throughout the day to stay relaxed.
Follow the flow, breath in, breath out.
How to Breathe Better
It doesn’t take days to master and it’s not something that requires a long amount of time. If you want to feel the benefits of the breath then all you have to do is; pause what you’re doing for a few minutes, put your hands on your stomach, breathe in through your mouth, and out slowly through your mouth.
Do this deep and slow a couple of times and you’re well on your way to the many health benefits breathing provides. All without going anywhere or doing anything extreme.
There are many other techniques, all with amazing benefits you can check out here.
Check out the science-based benefits here and remember to just keep breathing. Let’s improve mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing, one breath at a time.
The Takeaway
Breath is extremely important to our overall health. We do it 24 hours a day 7 days a week, without pause, without instruction. It is what keeps us alive and functioning properly. It is done unconsciously, so no thought goes into the action. Just breathing correctly can reduce stress, which will in turn increase health exponentially.
Remember that health comes from within, so eat nutritious food, exercise when you can, and take care of your mental health. Daily habits become building blocks for emotional, mental, and physical health. Don’t forget to take care of your gut microbiome health as well! Learn everything you need to know about gut microbiota today for free here.