woman in chair outside deep breathing
March 29, 2020
How to Use Deep Breathing to Relieve Stress, Prevent Injury, and More

You might be wondering, why do I need to practice breathing? I don’t have time to just sit and breathe!

I used to believe I had no time to sit and breathe, either. But, I’ve found since then that when I don’t think I have the time, it is when I need it the most.

Those of us who want to grow and achieve need to be able to think consciously. Deep Breathing makes that possible. Slowing down enough to breathe deeply is necessary for us to perform at our highest level.

Let me explain.

HOW DEEP BREATHING ALLOWS FOR GREATER GROWTH AND CHANGE

First of all, deep breathing changes the state of your mind and body.

Have you ever been frustrated or tired and then let out a heavy “sigh”? That sigh is actually a signal to your brain to relax. To stop for a minute. To simmer down and let go of the need to fight or flee. It’s your body’s way of dealing with stress. And it works!

Breathing deeply changes our body’s state from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest”. Without resting and digesting, we cannot fully recover from workouts, our body can’t digest properly, we can’t think clearly, and we’re more prone to injury.

Think of a time when you’ve been stressfully moving from one task to the next. You wake up late, dress as fast as you can, and then you have to get gas, drop the kids off, and drive to work all in mere minutes. During that time, you are so focused on surviving each task that your brain is on autopilot. In this state, you simply cannot think consciously!
This is why coaches and therapists have their clients take a few deep breaths before starting a session. We can’t build new habits or make conscious decisions without getting into a clear state of mind.
So, if you’re someone who wants to create change in your life, improve your health, or take your fitness to the next level, deep breathing is vital.

HOW ELSE IS DEEP BREATHING BENEFICIAL?

There are several kinds of deep breathing methods, all with their own benefits. With my clients, I focus mainly on these two:

  • Deep breathing for specific muscle relaxation and overall stress relief
  • Deep Breathing to increase vitality and improve exercise form

At Beometry, you’ll often hear our coaches guiding clients to inhale and exhale at certain parts of each movement. We do this because we understand how much breathing impacts performance and even our risk of injury. The way we breathe has a direct impact on how we function physically and mentally.

Benefits of Breathing Correctly

  • Prevent injury
  • Lessen chronic pain
  • Decrease stress
  • Improve body mechanics and motor control
  • Improve your state of mind
  • Increase productivity, energy, and creativity
  • Decrease inflammation and promote physical healing
  • Improve digestion and metabolism
  • Increase weight loss

And more

HOW CAN YOU INCORPORATE DEEP BREATHING INTO YOUR ROUTINE?

Deep breathing doesn’t always have to be something you sit down and spend 20 minutes doing. You don’t even have to close your eyes. For me, deep breathing is something I do in a minute or two, right before I run, lift, talk with a client, or start a new task.

I take a moment to breath deeply for all these things:

  • To improve the efficiency of my running.
  • To prevent injury while heavy lifting.
  • To relax, and get out of my head and into my body.
  • To improve my digestion and circulation, and decrease inflammation.
  • To ignite my creativity and get into a flow state for work.

It’s become one of the most important things in my life. Without it, I notice my state of mind, well being, energy, and care for others diminish. When I started deep breathing, I was able to give more and contribute more, because I wasn’t so stressed and drained. This is why I’ve become passionate about sharing it with others.

What is the correct breathing technique?

Here’s a quick easy exercise you can do any time to relax:

  1. Sit or lie on your back.
  2. Take your hands and place them on your abdomen.
  3. Now, take a deep breath in. The key is to feel the air fill your belly, not your chest.
  4. Hold your breath for 1 to 2 seconds. Then, take a long slow exhale.
  5. Breath out like you were fogging up a window. Relax your jaw.
  6. Feel your shoulders, arms, neck and back relax as you exhale.
  7. Repeat as many times as you like. That’s it!

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

At Beometry, we understand that health is more than just fitness and nutrition. It’s about your state of mind, your joy, and your ability to manage stress.

Managing stress is a practice. It takes time to learn. It also sometimes takes more work than just sitting down to breathe. Sometimes we need to learn how to change our thinking patterns in order to fully let go of what’s weighing us down.

If you would like support with that, click here to join our Facebook Group: Total Body Confidence. In this group, you’ll learn how to take care of your body so you can function your very best for the rest of your life! If you’re determined to start your healthy journey, our fitness coaches can help you out. Give us a call and we’ll be glad to be part of your journey.

Keep Growing,

Coach Michelle

FAQs

How can deep breathing reduce stress?

The stress response, often known as "fight or flight," prepares the body to confront or avoid danger. Constant exposure to this response can lead to various health issues, including high blood pressure and a suppressed immune system. Deep breathing serves as a potent tool to counteract the stress response and promote relaxation.

Can deep breathing get rid of anxiety?

Deep breathing plays a crucial role in alleviating anxiety. The relaxation response activated by deep breathing techniques helps manage stress, which is often a precursor to anxiety. Shallow breathing, commonly observed in individuals, limits the full expansion of the lungs and contributes to tension and anxiety. Deep breathing exercises, integrated into routines with sessions lasting a few minutes or more, aid in relaxation and stress reduction.

What is the correct breathing technique?

The correct breathing technique involves various approaches depending on the context and individual preferences. However, some general principles can guide effective breathing:

  1. Breathing through the nose: This is considered more efficient as it filters, warms, and humidifies the air.
  2. Belly breathing: This technique, where the diaphragm contracts and the belly expands, is recognized as the most efficient way to breathe.
  3. Mouth breathing: While breathing through the mouth is necessary during increased physical activity or sinus congestion, it is generally advisable to prioritize nose breathing.
  4. Regular exercise and a balanced diet: These contribute to maintaining overall lung health.
  5. Avoiding large meals and foods causing bloating: This prevents limitations on diaphragm movement, facilitating efficient breathing.
  6. Monitoring air quality: Avoiding exposure to pollutants and allergens supports healthy breathing.

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