Everyone breathes. It’s something we often take for granted. It turns out, however, that most of us don’t do it correctly. Chest or thoracic breathing is found in over 50 percent of adults, and it contributes to a number of problems, like rapid heartbeats and low blood oxygen levels.
Diaphragmatic or belly breathing is what we should aim for, where every deep breath goes straight to the lungs and fills the body with oxygen. Deep breathing benefits both physical and mental health. It alleviates stress, improves confidence, and helps create better blood circulation.
Breathing is free and effortless. It’s something we don’t have to put thought into. It generally doesn’t require any type of equipment and can be done anywhere that oxygen is present.
The Benefits of Deep Breathing
The benefits of proper breathing are many. It has been found that people who practice deep breathing only ten minutes a day have better health and improved disposition. Wondering how deep breathing can benefit you? Here are 13 of the amazing benefits of deep, belly breathing.
1. Detoxification
The body deals with a lot of toxins; everything from air pollution, to contaminated water, everyday foods and much more. Breathing is the body’s way of releasing those toxins and purifying its systems. When we don’t take deep breaths, the body is less efficient at releasing toxins. This makes the other systems in the body overloaded as they work to detoxify the blood, often leading to illnesses. When you inhale and exhale deeply, the body releases carbon dioxide, and along with it many toxins.
2. De-stress
Shallow breathing is linked to stress and anxiety. In fact, shallow breathing and anxiety disorders often go hand-in-hand. Shallow or constricted breathing occurs when we are in fight-or-flight mode, telling the body that we are unsafe. This results in anxiety, panic, and hyperventilation as the body prepares for danger. You can often see this dramatized in movies and TV shows when people begin breathing rapidly when they are panic-stricken.
The key to alleviating anxiety and stress is to take deep breaths. It fills your body with oxygen, releases tension, and normalizes your heartbeat, creating a feeling of calm. If you suffer from anxiety or panic disorders, deep breathing can provide relief.
3. Calming Effect
The fastest way to feel calm in any situation is to breathe through the belly. Deep breathing benefits our mental and emotional health because that’s how we’re meant to breathe in the natural state. When we take deep breaths, we stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering a relaxation response. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, just a few minutes of deep breathing will fill your body with oxygen and help you feel calm and relaxed.
4. Feel Energized
When we take deep breaths, more air is drawn into our lungs. Since the lungs help generate maximum blood flow, proper air supply to the lungs is critical. Improved oxygenation of the blood also results in an enhanced metabolism and greater energy. With the proper oxygen supply, all your organs are revitalized, filling you with more energy and vigor each day.