To say that breathing is an essential part of life would be an understatement. It’s much more than that because the way you breathe can have an impact on your body’s functions and health. Did you know that medical experts associate numerous benefits with breathing exercises? Whether you’re a fitness freak practicing tai-chi or yoga or an athlete who practices diaphragmatic breathing, breathing can actually contribute to better performance.
You may have noticed how breathing deeply is a core element in most techniques that require you to focus and relax. Thus, the benefits of it are quite similar and assist in regulating other bodily processes.
If you suffer from other health issues, specifically respiratory ones that affect your breathing, these exercises may be useful for you too. Still skeptical on whether or not breathing exercises can improve your performance? Read on to find out more.
Handle panic attacks
No matter where you are or what you’re doing, anxiety is a common occurrence. Breathing can play an important role in helping you cope with it. Simply take medium to long breaths with your arms folded, laying down on your belly. Continue to breathe heavily until your anxiety goes away.
Reduce stress
This may need more commitment than effort. It is best to devote at least 10 to 15 minutes every day to achieve the best results. If you often bear a lot of stress, taking a few moments to relax and breathe reduces your burden while not letting any psychological influences to take a toll on your health or behavior.
Improve resilience
Though this may seem similar to the above, it is still different. To improve resilience means to strengthen your endurance in terms of handling situations and life issues. There is a philosophy behind this. With every breath you inhale, you awaken a sympathetic response, which slightly raises your heart rate. Every exhale does the opposite by electing a parasympathetic response, which slows down your heart rate. Healthily regulating the stimuli and the differences in heartbeats indicates a good sign towards healthy resilience.
Physical improvements
- It promotes the functioning and stimulation of a healthy diaphragm since it is the main breathing muscle, making it easier for you to take steady, long breaths that help you reduce stress and improve resilience
- Encourages an increase in blood flow through your body, which massages the heart, digestive system, lungs, and other organs. This also helps improve digestion while stimulating the stomach, pancreas, and related organs that assist in digestion processes and eliminating toxins from the body
The next time you find yourself even the slightest bit of time on hand, try practicing some common breathing exercises. It brings about long-term effects that enhance the quality of your performance and overall wellbeing.