Photo: sleepyneko / Flickr

If you breathe correctly you’ll have increased energy and alertness. You will also feel more relaxed and calm as you enter the so-called alpha state. Incorrect breathing, on the other hand, can have a chronic effect on the way you feel and function. Stress, fear and other negative emotions can cause fast and shallow breathing. This disturbs the oxygen and carbon dioxide balance in your blood which can lead to feelings of light-headedness, anxiety, panic or other symptoms.

Practice breathing correctly

Fast and shallow breathing is often part of the package of a highly stressed lifestyle. If you’re often under stress, you may come to breathe this way out of habit, even when you’re relaxed.

Good breathing leads to real relaxation. You can trick your body into thinking you’re relaxed by breathing slowly and deeply from your stomach and diaphragm rather than your chest. You may have to practice breathing with a good posture every day in order to change your breathing patterns.

If you’ve been breathing incorrectly for a long time, you may find that your diaphragm muscles are tense and stiff. If this is the case, consider doing some daily stretches to get into the swing of things.

Normal breathing exercises

Sit down and relax your body completely and become aware of how you are breathing. Breathe in deeply through your nose in one big sigh. Breathe in slowly to the count of five. Allow your breath to pass from your chest to your diaphragm to your stomach. Watch the area expand as you work with your breath.

Breathe out through your mouth from your stomach, diaphragm and chest. Do this to the count of five. Repeat until you feel completely relaxed and then try and breathe this way several times during the day. For a deeply relaxing experience, lie on a mat on your back and repeat this exercise 15 to 20 times.

Check your breathing as you go about your daily activities. As you become more aware of breathing correctly, this new way of breathing will feel natural. Keep your stomach muscles strong when you’re exercising and breathe into your diaphragm only.

Tags: lifestyle