How Can Deep Breathing Be Helpful for Your Health

Breathing is a thing we do automatically, and we do not even think about it. But how about breathing deeply? You may have never thought of it, but this process can be extremely helpful for your health and should be a part of your daily routine. It is also known as belly breathing, abdomen breathing or paced breathing. This type of breathing should be done slow, a little longer than normal breathing and you must have full control over it. You might also try to breathe with your abdomen as well, not just with your chest.

benefits of deep breathing

A deep breath can last from 3 to 5 seconds in and 3 to 5 seconds out. At first, it might seem a little weird, but after a while, it will become something unconscious.

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How to do it:

Lie down in a room where you’re free from distractions.
Put your hands on the abdomen.
Inhale deeply and count to 5.
Count to 3 while keeping your breath.
Exhale as slow as you inhaled until your lungs and chest are free.
Repeat the process 5 to 10 minutes.

Why is this so important?

As previously stated, breathing deeply can do wonders for your body, such as:

It decreases your stress levels – stress is the main factor for health issues, stroke and high blood pressure. Deep breaths send a message to your brain to relax and the brain sends it to your body. It also helps with tension and anxiety issues.
Improves lungs’ capacity and function – it expands the lung tissues, strengthening them. It improves the capacity and the functionality of the lungs, preventing pneumonia or other complications. Deep breathing can also help people who deal with asthma, chest pain and bronchitis.
Helps detoxify your body – lungs play an important part in dumping toxins out of your body. Shallow breathing can also make the lungs work twice as hard. Having toxins in your body can lead to weight issues, muscle loss, fatigue and inflammation. Practicing deep breathing can help the lungs eliminate toxins faster and pump blood through the body.
Better sleep – deep breathing relaxes your muscle and helps you sleep better. People dealing with insomnia and who have trouble sleeping should try this technique in the evening, before going to bed.
Decreases blood pressure – by reducing stress in your body, proper breathing can also help you with your blood pressure problems. Practice deep breathing 2 or 3 times per day to see the results.
Help you lose weight – it is known that the intake of oxygen has a big saying in how fast you burn calories. Focusing on the lymphatic system helps you dump unwanted toxins.
Gives you energy – deep breathing grows the levels of oxygen intake and boosts your blood circulation.
Helps with the pain – headaches or other pains can be cured with deep breathing. Your first instinct is to hold your breath and then exhale. When you feel like you are about to have a headache try slow, in control breathing to get some relief from the pain.
Stimulates digestion – if you have problems digesting the food and you always feel bloated, then this method will increase your blood flow in the digestive tract, boosting the functioning of the intestines.
Helps you get rid of motion sickness – many people tend to get sick when embarking on a boat, car, train or airplane. They also tend to take short, shallow breaths when they feel uncomfortable. Try to breathe slow and deep when you feel sick. It can prevent, but also reduce the symptoms of motion sickness.