Have You Breathed Today?

Of course, you have breathed today. But, have you taken a nice, slow, deep breath so your body is relaxed and you can think clearer? Taking diaphragmatic breaths, slow deep breaths, shows to lower our blood pressure and helps us not to be overwhelmed by stress, anger, worry and anxiety.

Today we have a video for you. Our newest Intern, Gianna, will demonstrate two types of breathing that can help blow stress away.

Let’s recap some of the important points from the video. 

As we slowly breathe in, our lungs fill with air, which pushes down our diaphragm and pushes out our stomach. We don’t see Gianna’s stomach extending out,  but notice her shoulders stay even, relaxed and don’t go up. If we are lifting our shoulders, our lungs are only half full. We want to breathe in a full breath of air. 

As we exhale, we extend the time to release the air. Taking several seconds to breathe in, hold for the box breath, and release the air slowly. This will help reduce blood pressure, bring some calmness to your mind, and help you relax and be able to think clearer.

Practice slow deep breaths several times during the day. For example, when you get in your car, take a slow, deep breath. Before you go indoors, take a slow deep breath. This way it will become your default when you start to feel stressed or upset. When we are overly stressed or upset, we won’t remember to breathe. It’s important to practice and catch the stress or anxiety early. 

Give breathing a try. Your body and mind will thank you.

Written by Cindy Picht, LPC, CEO