Reduce Stress through Breathing Exercises

Breathing is powerful! It’s not only the way we keep our
bodies functioning, but we can use it as a major
influencing factor on our state of mind. Most of us don't
breathe deeply enough, but the simple act of breathing
correctly can help us reduce stress and tension.

Many holistic practitioners believe that breathing is the
link between the physical body and the ethereal mind, and
scientific studies have shown that correct breathing can
help manage stress and stress-related conditions by
soothing the nervous system.

In fact, proper breathing is said to be one of the most
effective techniques for relieving stress. The way we
breathe affects the tension in our muscles and influences
our thoughts and feelings, and that’s why many health
gurus advise people to do breathing exercises regularly.

If you have never tried breathing exercises before, try
them now. First go to a quiet location that is free of
distractions, where you can sit or lay in a comfortable body
position. Some also say you can stand up, but I believe
that decreases your ability to relax.

Start by breathing slowly, but deeply. Take air in through
your nose, and then blow the air out through your mouth.
Deep breathing means drawing air down into your
abdomen. Don’t just take the air into your throat and
breathe out. That’s what we usually do. Begin by slowly
breathing in through your nose to a count of 5, and then
slowly exhale through your mouth to a count of 6. Continue
for at least 2 minutes, and then notice what happens.
Notice how relaxed you can make yourself feel.

Read more at http://tranquilityisyours.com/Breathing2.html

Cheryl Bond-Nelms is a Senior Producer and developer of
http://www.tranquilityisyours.com

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