Deep Breathing Benefits

Take a moment to sit back and relax. Take a deep breath and slowly exhale. No, this is not a snip bit from a yoga class. This is all it takes to relax your senses and rejuvenate your mind. Fifteen minutes of deep breathing benefits the body in so many ways. It is pretty surprising that by just breathing, we can reduce stress and strengthen our immune system.

Before we begin with the health benefits, it is important that we understand how regular breathing is different from deep breathing. When we breathe, our diaphragm contracts and our stomach expands. This is the correct way to breathe. But what many of us tend to do is suck in our stomach and raise our shoulders to breathe.

These are called shallow breaths. When people talk about breathing techniques, they mean a technique to breathe right without making a conscious effort. For this, one must ease all stress and worries. Deep breathing exercises our bodies by ensuring the correct posture and proper coordination of the respiratory muscles.

It benefits the body by taking in the correct amount of oxygen, which in turn lowers blood pressure and relaxes the muscles. It also relaxes the brain and causes the heart rate to slow down. It helps our body to release more carbon dioxide.

Amongst the many health benefits are its cleansing properties for the lymphatic system. We know that the lymph surrounds all the cells in our body, and correct breathing removes the toxins from these cells through the lymphatic system.

Deep breathing is known to release endorphins, which, in layman's terms, are called feel good hormones. These are natural painkillers in the body, and help relax the muscles and nerves. Also known to be helpful for people who are depressed.

Asthmatics also benefit from this, as it makes the abdominal muscles stronger and improves the lung capacity. Shallow breathing leads to the flow of insufficient oxygen in the body, which leads to muscle exertion, lethargy and fatigue. This technique can help activate our relaxation response.

This has many health benefits like reducing stress and anxiety. In fact, this is one of the best stress relievers. It also helps people suffering from insomnia. Eastern traditions of yoga and tai-chi function on this principle.

These exercises are very easy, and they can be done anywhere and anytime. The easiest of these can be done while sitting at work or in front of the television. To begin, make sure your spine is straight and your posture is correct. Take a deep breath in a count to 6 and slowly exhale. Take longer time to exhale.

Repeat this 10 times at least. When you breathe, ensure that your stomach expands when inhaling, and contracts when exhaling. Another way to practice is to sit in a secluded place with your eyes closed, preferable early in the morning in fresh air. Repeat the above technique, but pause for a split second before you exhale.

This is a way to meditate, so try to ease all your worries and focus on something that calms your nerves.

So, go ahead, take a deep breath, and kick-start to de-stress your body. Just a few breaths can ensure a fresh mind and an energetic body.