Although breathing is something we do every day, we tend to underestimate the effect it can have on our body. Simply the way we breathe can alter our state of mind and the mood in which we go about our day.
Lowering your stress levels, reducing anxiety and putting the body in a state of relaxation are only a few things we can use different breathing techniques to achieve.
Try out some of these breathing exercises below and learn their effects to see which ones work best for your mind and body.
Lion’s Breath
- Make sure you are seated comfortably for this exercise. The best position for this is either with your legs crossed on the ground or your legs kneeled.
- Place your hands on your knees or floor with your torso leaned slightly forward.
- Take a deep breath through your nose. Hold for 2 seconds.
- Stick your tongue out of your mouth, which should be wide open, and exhale.
This exercise boosts confidence and relieves tension and stress around your neck and jaw. Although you might feel a little strange doing this pose, it is great to remind you not to focus on anyone around you but yourself.
Resonance breathing
- For this exercise, lie flat on your back with your eyes closed.
- Without filling your body with air completely, gently inhale through your nose and hold for approximately 5 seconds.
- Gently exhale the air for 5 seconds through your mouth. Let it leave your body without force.
- Continue this process for 5-10 minutes.
This type of breathing is great for relieving anxiety, lowering blood pressure and putting your body into a state of relaxation, slowing your body’s breathing rate.
Humming bee breath
- For this exercise, make sure you are seated comfortably. You can sit upright or you can lie down, wherever is more comfortable for you.
- Close your eyes and relax your body – let go of your shoulders, unclench any muscles, and release the tension around your body.
- Place your thumbs over the tragus cartilage (the little pointed bit at the entrance of your inner ear) on either side of your head to block your hearing.
- As you inhale, take deep and long breaths through your nose.
- As you exhale, take equally as long to release the air. Whilst this is happening, make a humming sound through your closed mouth. Feel a sense of calmness surrounding you with each exhalation.
- Continue for about 5 minutes or however long you feel comfortable.
This is great for relieving any anxiety or anger in your system, bringing you into a calm state of mind.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- For this exercise, make sure you are seated or lying down comfortably.
- Begin to take a few deep and long breaths in and out.
- After a few breaths, begin to tense each muscle group listed below in your body with each breath in and release them with each breath out.
- Work your way up by starting with the muscles in your feet, then going onto your legs, your belly and chest, your hands, your arms, your shoulders, and then your face.
This is effective in reducing tension and promoting relaxation across your whole body, forcing your muscles to let go of all the stress they may be holding.
Try out a few of these breathing exercises and put your body in a state of peace to start off your morning or end your evening. Find out which ones are best for you and let us know in the forum or on our social media if they helped!
DISCLAIMER
Before you start any new diet, health programme, exercise routine, and ingest or topically use any oil, vitamin, mineral, product or compound, it is very important to consult your doctor, therapist or do a patch test to make sure you do not have any adverse reactions.
We do not offer any form of medical or psychological advice. The information in our wellbeing articles are offered for educational purposes only. Our wellbeing articles are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Thank you.
