Deep Breathing Benefits
There are many benefits for correct breathing. Read below and re-appreciate what your
body does for you without having to even think about it!
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Breathing deeply relieves stress. Think about it: When you are stressed your muscles tense up
and you change unconsciously to shallow breathing from your chest. This does
not provide enough oxygen to your body. All you have to do is switch back into a correct breathing
pattern. Done!
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Breathing deeply calms the mind. Body and mind are always in correlation to one another. Whenever
you are feeling scared or angry for example, your whole body reacts to if and reflexes it with
tension of the muscles.
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Breathing deeply helps focusing. Clarity of the mind lies within relaxation.
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Breathing deeply also helps with emotional pain. It's easier to handle your problems when you are
relaxed and focused.
Physical
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pain too. How many times have you heard "breathe into it (the place that hurts)"? There's a reason
for that! Everything hurts more when your body is tense.
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Breathing correctly helps detoxing. 70% of toxins in your body are expelled through breathing. If
you are not breathing deeply you are not getting the full affect. If you are not getting rid of all
your toxins you are more likely to become, over time, ill. When you breathe out (exhale) you
release carbon dioxide from your body (and back into the air-for the use of plants!). Carbon
dioxide is your body's natural waste.
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Breathing correctly improves your posture. Having a good posture also promotes a correct breathing
pattern as it makes it easier to breathe from the diaphragm. It works both ways!
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Breathing deeply strengthens the lungs.
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The heart too!
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Breathing deeply also helps keeping your immune system in good shape.
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Breathing promotes a healthy nervous system. The nervous system communicates to all parts of the
body.
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Breathing deeply aids in weight control: If you are overweight, the extra oxygen burns up the
excess fat more efficiently. If you are underweight, the extra oxygen feeds the starving
tissues and glands.
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Breathing correctly can elevate your mood. It can also boost your energy levels.
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Stamina too. Ever heard of tantra? Exactly!
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It's like a massage for the inside! The movements of the diaphragm during the deep
belly breathing massages the stomach, small intestine, liver and pancreas. The upper
movement of the diaphragm also massages the heart. When you breathe in air your
diaphragm descends and your abdomen will expand. This results in a massage
to vital organs. It also improves circulation in them. Controlled breathing also
strengthens and tones your abdominal muscles.
It is not in vain that people use the phrase "Just keep breathing!". Your brain does it for you and
you are not even aware of it half the time. So go on, give something back. Start breathing deeply :)
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