Do You Know How to Breathe?

Strange question, I know, but another interesting thing I learned during the Mind Body Medicine Conference is that a lot of us don’t know how to breathe properly.  How about you?  Do you think you know how to breathe in the most healthful way?
 
To test yourself, put one hand on your chest and the other hand on your belly.  Take a deep breath in and notice which hand rises the highest.  If it is the hand on your chest then you are stress breathing, which is the wrong way. 
 
To do this properly you need to breathe with the diaphragm and when you do this the belly should rise the highest.  This type of breathing allows for the greatest amount of oxygen exchange. Some other great benefits to belly breathing include…
 

• Releases tension
• Deepens relaxation
• Increases emotional control
• Increases clarity of mind
• Increases power of concentration
• Brings oxygen to the cells
• Promotes general good health
• Promotes better sleep

 
This week I encourage you to focus on your breath periodically throughout the day and check to make sure you are breathing with your belly so you can reap all those great benefits!


Wishing you success in all aspects of life,
Tom Klisiewicz
Founder and President
Smart Health Wellness and Performance

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