Deep breathing or learning to breathe with your diaphragm is important to your health in many ways which include lowering your stress levels, reducing your blood pressure and improving your immune system.
So what is your diaphragm any way?
Your diaphragm is a thin muscle that separates the Chest and abdomen that is used to help you breathe. When this muscle contracts its flattens and pulls air into the lungs - causing you to inhale. When the diaphragm relaxes it pushes air out of the lungs - causing you to exhale.
Let’s learn more about the benefits of practicing this type of breathing and how to get started.
Benefits of Diaphragmatic breathing
It helps you relax, reducing stress.
I lowers your heart rate
It lowers your blood pressure
It improves your abdominal muscle strength
It lowers your chances of injury from over using other muscle groups
But the biggest benefit is reducing stress! High levels of stress decreases your immune system’s ability to keep you healthy and long term or chronic stress can cause a host of health issues if left untreated.
Time to practice!
Sit in a comfortable position or lay down on your back
Relax your shoulders
Put a hand on your chest and a hand on your stomach
Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, you should feel you stomach expand while your chest remains relatively still.
Hold for 7 seconds
Then purse your lips, and slowly exhale for 8 seconds
Use the video included to repeat these steps and practice!