How to Breathe Properly to Reduce Stress
You have probably heard that taking long, deep breaths when you are stressed out is very important. This is not a myth but an actual method that helps calm you down without medication.
Stress can easily be managed through proper breathing techniques. Often you will notice that when you have anxiety, your breathing becomes shallow and quick. This is due to your heart pumping faster than usual. Not breathing properly can result in an increase in stress as the flow of oxygen to your blood cells decreases. Breathing techniques used in yoga and meditation are often underestimated but can be helpful.
Instructions
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1
Long, Deep Breaths
We do not normally take long, deep breaths, but in order to cool your body down and reduce the amount of stress you are experiencing, it is important that you do the necessary. You will begin to see results almost immediately and the natural effects of the oxygen supply increasing to your blood cells and brain will give you that feeling of relieving stress. -
2
Do Not Smoke
When stressed out, people tend to go for a cigarette and have mentally accepted that these may just be the answer to help calm them down but they do the exact opposite. Cigarettes increase your heart rate while reducing the supply of oxygen to important parts of the body. This in turn, gives negative effects on your body and increases the amount of stress that you are feeling. Try simple breathing exercises instead of a cigarette and you will definitely see some positive results. -
3
Fill Your Stomach
Breathing properly, especially when looking to reduce stress, is done through filling your stomach with air. This can be done by taking long deep breaths, most preferably in a sitting position and resting your head or back in an upright position. If you feel like the stress is too much, try lying down as this will also ease the tension in your body. Remember to pace your breathing so that you can get oxygenated blood flowing throughout your body to help ease your stress. -
4
Remember to Breathe
In stressful situations, people sometimes can forget the importance of keeping their oxygen supply intact. However, due to the heat of the moment, it is not always that easy. Make sure to keep it in the corner of your mind that it is important to breathe and you should not have any issue with doing so the next time you come across a stressful situation.
