Deep Breathing for Stress Relief: Inhale, Exhale...Relax
It’s easy to forget about your breathing since it “just happens” 24/7. But breath is the body’s most crucial life force, so it’s important to pay attention to it throughout the day. That’s right, take a break from your daily to-dos to just breathe. Inhale (2,3,4), hold it, exhale (2,3,4), hold it, repeat. Breathing deeply for a few minutes (or more) every day has an enormous, positive impact on your mental and physical well-being, especially when it comes to stress levels.
The stress-busting benefits of deep breathing:
• Decreases heart rate
• Reduces blood pressure
• Calms rapid breathing
• Encourages relaxation
• Improves sleep quality
• Lifts mood
• Releases toxins
So, whenever you catch yourself taking shallow, stress-induced breaths during the day, inhale deeply, fill your belly with air, and let...it...out...slowly. Relax. Repeat.
Deep Breathing Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Remember, if you’re feeling stressed out, the solution is literally right under your nose. Deep breathing sends an immediate message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then relays the message to the body, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system to produce soothing, all-over calm to help you chill out.
Breathing deeply also increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, encouraging the brain to release mood-boosting endorphins—serotonin and dopamine—throughout the body. Research has shown deep breathing delivers powerful relief from depression and anxiety disorders, including panic attacks.
In short, deep breathing is the body’s natural healing mechanism that helps you control your emotions before they control you.
How to Practice Deep Breathing
Every day, practice taking slower, deeper breaths from your stomach to counter the short, rapid breaths associated with stress.
1. Sit comfortably.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Imagine a stressful situation.
4. Notice how your body responds - tightening chest, shallow breaths, increased heart rate.
5. Turn your attention to your breath.
6. Take longer, deeper breaths.
7. Focus on belly breathing - push out your stomach for each inhale.
8. Feel your body relax.
9. Add calming essential oils to your daily routine to up the relaxation.
AROMAFLORIA’s Stress Less Collection (Chamomile, Lavender, and Sage essential oils) relaxes the body and calms the mind with aromatic healing, so you can breathe easier at home or on the go.
Conclusion
Deep breathing is a simple solution for stress relief that calms you down anytime, anyplace, and anywhere. Just breathe.