You would think breathing is just something you naturally do and of course it is. But, do you know if you’re breathing correctly? Look at a puppy and watch his stomach rise and fall as he breathes. Catch him while he’s sleeping.
You want to breathe in through your nose hold it 3 seconds and blow it out. Repeat this many times throughout your day.
When you breathe correctly 3 things occur:
- You put your body into state of relaxation and healing. This is especially important when your dealing with pain.
- This state of relaxation works to calm your anxiety. Did you know that if you breathe incorrectly from your chest you can actually increase anxiety and bring on a panic attack?
- Breathing reminds you to come back to the present moment and get out of your head. It’s a useful tool for those learning to be mindful. Stop what you’re doing and focus on your breath.,
So, next time you take a breath make it a productive one!
*Notice if you’re holding your breath throughout the day. Sometimes we forget to breathe when we are tense.
(c) Eating Disorders & Body Image Counseling – Read entire story here.