Welcome & thank you for taking time to pause with me today for this week’s episode of Peace in the Pause podcast.
This week’s episode will be part educational and part experiential to explore today’s topic: Benefits to Better Breathing.
The average person breathes in and out up to 23,040 times per day, but most of us do it inefficiently, taking short, shallow chest breaths while subconsciously contracting our abdomen. Although we are born belly-breathers, over time, as stress creeps in, and a natural response to stress—tightening up—restricts our breathing.
An example we are probably all familiar with… you are sitting in an intersection and see someone run a red light, nearly hitting another car. A common response is to take a sharp breath in *gasp* and hold it. Over time, as we continue to react to stressful situations, we develop bad breathing patterns.
The good news is we can change those breathing patterns and enjoy the benefits of better breathing.
Enter the yogic practice of pranayama. Pranayama is the practice of breathing. There are a variety of types of breathing practices that provide different results like energizing, relaxing, and balancing.
You might be asking “I breathe all the time, Gretchen, why do I need to practice breathing?”
When we practice breathing and incorporate long, smooth exhales it supports the parasympathetic nervous system and activates what is commonly known as the “relaxation response,” reducing stress and its effects on your body and mind.
Let me pause there… this thing we do, like 23,000 times a day, our breath, is a tool we can use to relieve stress? Now that is pretty great.
With better breathing we can manage challenges better, be more focused, and feel better.
This is because better breathing:
- Increases endorphins – boost mood, increases confidence
- Increase Oxygen – boosts creativity, improves metal clarity
- Decreases Cortisol – lowers blood pressure, reduces stress
We gain many health benefits from better breathing. Some of them include:
- Purification of the lungs & blood
- Increased energy levels
- Reduced anxiety and depression
With these kinds of benefits, who wouldn’t want to breath better?
In future episodes we will explore different breathing practices, how to do them, and their benefits.
First Breathing Practice – Notice Your Breath.
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