Have you ever stopped to consider that you may not know how to breathe properly? From the moment we’re born to the moment our life ends, breathing is a constant throughout our lives. On average, we tend to take approximately 20,000 breaths per day without even thinking about it. This is an extreme amount of time spent performing a subconscious task. Unknown to many, there is actually a proper way to breathe, but it is very rarely performed.
An interesting point to note is that we are born knowing how to breathe properly, but we forgot it somewhere along the way. If you watch a baby breathe, you will notice that their belly moves in and out with each breath that they take. Their belly expands as air fills their lungs and their diaphragm, the muscle sitting below the lungs which is vital for breathing, lowers toward their belly in order to allow for more and more air to be let in. This is called diaphragmatic breathing.
However, it is uncommon to find someone who diaphragmatically breathes, unless they have already been trained to do so. Stress, anxiety, daily life, and just not thinking about how we breathe all lead to shallow breathing, breathing into the chest, forcing breaths, and decreased oxygen uptake. These are inefficient and non-optimal methods of breathing… Shallow breathing can lead to many negative effects on the body, including anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, cardiovascular issues, decreased immune function, decreased lymphatic flow, and many more. Because of this, it is very important to take control of your breathing and use it for your benefit.
Breath is one thing that we always have at our disposal, and, by learning to properly control it, life benefits will abound. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises have been researched and shown to reduce anxiety and depression, increase immune function, decrease blood pressure, increase cardiovascular health, and provide many other amazing health benefits.
Improving Your Breathing
You can get started improving your breathing through simple breathing exercises that you can begin right away! One of the most beneficial and researched breathing techniques is the Wim Hof Method. The Wim Hof Method has produced staggering health benefits that have begun to change the way that medical professionals look at health and the limitless ability of the body. There are many great Wim Hof guides and videos online that I highly recommended you check out in order to dig deeper into the technique, after you follow the outline below.
Let’s Breathe!
- Find a nice relaxing spot where you can sit or lay comfortably. Do not perform these exercises when driving, in the water, or any other situation where it may be dangerous to drift into a state of unconsciousness.
- Place your hand on your stomach and take a deep breath into your belly so that your lungs and stomach fill with air and your hand rises.
- Blow the breath halfway out, noting how your stomach drops with the exhale.
- Repeat this process for 30-40 breaths.
- After your 30-40 breaths, when you feel like you need a break from breathing, blow the air all the way out of your lungs and hold your breath, on the breath out, for as long as possible. You may begin to feel tingly, hot, lightheaded, or experience other phenomena. This is okay and all part of the process. Stay calm and focus on relaxing and being peaceful.
- When you feel a sensation of needing to breathe again, take a deep breath in and hold it.
- Hold this breath in for 15-20 seconds.
- Begin to breathe again.
- This is one round of breathing.
- Repeat these steps for 2-4 rounds.
- Experience better health and prosperity!
Perform these breathing exercises 1-2 times per day. It is very beneficial to do this in the morning when you first wake up, before you go to bed, and/or when feeling stressed or wanting to relax. Try it at different times throughout your day and see when works best for you.
I look forward to hearing about your improved health and happiness.
In Health and Prosperity, See You Soon!