A number of us have been told to “deep-breathe” when stressed or when in that panic mode. We have either heard the expression, told other people about it, or even practised it ourselves. But what really is the act of deep breathing?
Deep breathing is a relaxation exercise commonly used to relieve stress and ease muscles by contracting and relaxing the abdominal muscles.
When we deep-breathe, a message is sent to the brain to calm the body. The tense muscles in turn relax and ease. However, the benefits of deep breathing are mostly achieved when done effectively. Some people breath in to the chest area only, then breathe out. The response you desire will not be achieved at this point. It is important to focus on your breathing and ensure you take in air to your “belly area.”
To achieve effective deep breathing exercise, take the following steps, and remember, it can be done anywhere, on-the-go:
- Take in a deep breath of air in slowly through the nose while silently counting 1 to 5 or even more, all the way to your belly.
- Slowly release the air through your mouth again while counting 1 to 5.
- Repeat these steps as much as you can tolerate. Remember to take pauses if you need to.
Tip: One technique that works for me is to drop your shoulders all the way while breathing out, it helps!
The more you practice, the better you get at it, and the more relaxation you achieve. Don’t feel disappointed on your first few tries. Keep it going and get all the relaxation you need.
