Many of us make healthy choices to support our wellness every day, from healthy eating to regular exercise. But there’s one exceptionally simple yet often overlooked way to benefit not only our physical health but also our mental well-being: deep breathing exercises. Strategic breathing is one of the most effective stress management strategies available to you, and this tactic also has a host of other benefits as well. Here are the most important. 

5 Advantages of Practicing Deep Breathing

1. Boosted Energy

When we breathe deeply, it allows our body to take in more oxygen, which can increase blood oxygen levels. This generates energy for the body. Try inhaling for a count of two and exhaling for a count of two, and then increase the count of exhales by one until you reach five. Allow the belly to expand more than the chest to ensure you are using the diaphragm and not the neck muscles which attach to the rib cage.  Repeat the exercise several times for a quick energy boost.

2. Calmer Muscles & Nervous System

Slow, drawn-out breaths activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which signals a decrease in heart rate. This in turn calms the mind and body, spurring the opposite effect of holding tension in the muscles experienced with the fight-flight-freeze response.  Again, letting the belly expand with the inhale trains the correct muscles to do the work.

3. Improved Cardiovascular Health

With improved oxygen delivery and relaxed muscles, your blood pressure lowers naturally. Thus, your cardiovascular functionality improves as soon as you begin taking in deep, measured breaths. This stress management technique is especially important for individuals who may face a higher risk for cardiovascular events, such as those with hypertension.  

4. Minimized Aging Effects

Research shows individuals who meditate regularly have longer telomeres, the protective caps on chromosomes that become compromised by conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The deep breathing exercises performed during meditation could help control premature cellular aging.

5. Relaxed Mental State

The body responds to extreme stress by altering the breathing rate. We breathe shallowly, which can illicit hyperventilation, causing nausea, dizziness, and confusion, among other symptoms. This instant stress management exercise can calm you during stressful events or when you’re simply having trouble relaxing: breathe in deeply through the nose, then exhale through pursed lips three to 10 times.

If you’re seeking natural and effective stress management solutions, Hands-On Health Massage & Physical Therapy in High Point, NC, can help. A combination of meditation, massage therapy, and physical therapy strategies can work wonders for the body and mind. Their talented massage therapists and physical therapist can deliver services to decrease anxiety, increase energy, and aid in chronic pain management. Explore even more benefits of massage therapy and physical therapy by visiting their website or call (336) 906-2040 to book your appointment.