Today I want to talk to you about the power of breathing. This is one of those things we do without thinking and don't realize how it benefits our body. Without oxygen, your brain would shut down and you would die. This makes breathing one of the most important functions of the body. But most people don't realize how powerful the simple act of breathing can be if done correctly.
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When we become stressed, our breathing is shallow. Even sitting too long at a desk or watching television lowers our breathing levels. Shallow breathing causes fatigue. Learning to breathe correctly has many benefits for your body. Oxygen helps thin the blood which will lower your blood pressure. It also speeds the flow of blood. What you may not know is that having more oxygen in your system will speed your metabolism. This means breathing deep can help you lose weight because you'll burn calories faster.
Breathing fresh air is also better. Exercising outside raises your oxygen level more than exercising inside. Walking or cycling outside in nature surrounded by plants and trees is a good way to get your oxygen to peak levels. Cool air is also better because your body must work harder to keep your body at the right temperature.
The harder you exercise the deeper your breathing will be. This is why intervals of intense exercise is good. Your body goes full steam for several minutes and then you slow down again for a few minutes. This will kick your oxygen level into high gear.
However, you don't have to go outside or to the gym to exercise to receive the benefits of deep breathing. First thing in the morning, dedicate ten minutes to just sit quietly and breathe. You can do these lying down, sitting comfortable, or standing.
Start by inhaling deep in your abdomen. Fill your belly with air, slowly. Your shoulders should not rise. Then hold your breath for eight to 10 seconds. Exhale slowly. As you do this every day, you'll be able to hold your breath for longer periods of time.You can do this for three to four minutes in the beginning several times a day. Practice this for at least a week.
Any time during the day when you feel tired, take a few minutes to relax and breathe. Learn to exhale from your mouth while you let all your stress and negativity go.You can eventually work up to 10 minutes–but do it gradually.
At some point you may want to try a technique known as fire breathing. This is where you inhale and exhale rapidly from your abdominal muscles. Do not pause between breaths.
These simple exercises will boost your metabolism and increase your energy level. Give it a try and let me know if you notice a difference. I always love to hear from my readers. Let me know which tips have helped you the most in your weight loss goals.
This post was originally published on March 13, 2014
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