We can all get bogged down with our daily lives. We have work, kids, bills, and the list goes on and on. Who has times for a yoga class at the end of the day or a massage when we need to relax and unwind. Most of us finally take a breath for ourselves when our head hits the pillow and even then we might not rest and relax, If you are like I am, when I finally get the time to relax my head is still spinning and going through my to do list for the next day. This can be detrimental to a healthy life style. I know it is hard to take the time but it is completely necessary.
5-9 Breathing Technique
When we are working or stressing over our everyday lives we sometimes forget to take a breath.
We do not always get the full amount of oxygen we need to help calm the nervous system. When this happens our body get stressed and releases stress hormones and thus causing our bodies not to function properly. This can lead to weight gain and other health related issues.
It is simple within your regular 9-5 job take a 5 to 9 breath count. I recommend this about once an hour if possible, set your phone timer. We all have smart phones now, they might as well tell us when we need to breath correctly too. But if you just cant manage it hourly then just try it whenever you feel like you are stresses
It is simple take a very slow breath in for 5 seconds and release it for 5 seconds. Repeat this 9 times. It is really that simple. This gives your body time to destress and calm the nervous system. You should feel better just by getting even oxygen into your system.
Keep it going
Now that you have incorporated this into your workday, keep it up through the rest of the day. If you are getting your full 8 hours of sleep like you should be. (I will talk about that branch of health in a later post). This leaves you with 16 hours a day that you are awake. That is 16 times that you will take 9 soothing breaths for 5 seconds each that will increase your oxygen levels.
Just slow it down
The 5 to 9 technique that I shared is the one that I try to incorporate in my own life. You may customize it however you decide. The length of your breath and for how many reps you choose is not the main issue, the idea is to just take a breath and slow down. Once you start this habit you will want to continue because you will have a sense of calmness that can be contagious, at that's what it is all about, incorporating healthy habits that work for you.
I found more information about Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response, on the Harvard Health Publishing site at Harvard Medical School that I found very interesting.
I'm here to help
I am always here to help you get on the right track to a healthy lifestyle. One of my "branches" to healthy habits is "The Universe". That is all the things in our everyday life that can cause us stress and how to manage that stress. I would love to help you make a plan to incorporate these habits, among others to create a nutritious and fulfilled life.
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