Did you know that you can reduce the intensity of stress by breathing deeply? Many people hold in stressful feelings with shallow breath. Think about when you are in traffic and someone cuts in front of you. Do you step on the brake, gasp and hold that experience in that breath? Feel some fear? Most do. Over time this contributes to very shallow and ineffective breathing patterns.
As you breathe in, breathe down very deep as if you are by-passing your lungs and breathing into the pit of your abdomen. Think of this as breathing deep into your tail bone, and then breathe out slowly. This will help you to become aware to breathe deeper than usual.
Practice daily this method of deep breathing. Upon awakening find a place with little distraction so you can breathe deeply 6-9 times. Doing it three times a day will shift your levels of anxiety and stress. Place reminder notes around you as a way to assist with your commitment to consciously de-stress.
I find that doing it morning and before bedtime essential. But practice throughout the day, in your car, your office, before making a call or whenever you feel the overwhelm of stress.
This is also a wonderful technique to teach children, helping them to learn self-calming methods.
“Listen, are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?” Mary Oliver