Feeling Stressed? Breathe your way to peace and relaxation!

A simple breathing and relaxation exercise can be very useful in treating a variety of conditions.
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Feeling Stressed? Breathe your way to peace and relaxation!

The causes of stress can be many but its cure lies only in breathing right. The human body inhales oxygen in different ways in different situations. You breathe differently when you are at ease and breathe completely in a different manner when you are in a panic situation.

Therefore, always remember to breathe right so that your body is not stressed out even when you are in a worrisome situation. Deep breathing is one of the most recommended ways to reduce stress level in the body. Taking deep breaths sends signals to brain to calm down and relax the body. However, when you are struck by a panic situation your heart beat increases and you start breathing at a faster rate. In situations like these if you still keep taking deep breaths, your brain will send out signals to the body to relieve the tension.

The biggest advantage of breathing exercises is that they can be done anywhere without causing fatigue unlike other workout techniques which can make you tired and leave you drenched in sweat.

Here we give you several breathing exercises which can help you get rid of anxiety and pressure and leave your body relaxed.

Sama Vritti or Equal Breathing

To begin with, start inhaling and exhaling from nose on a count of 4 each time. This technique is most effective when done right before going to bed. This breathing exercise can help you have a sound sleep and give your wandering brain some rest.

Abdominal Breathing Technique

Keep one hand on the chest and the other on your belly and take a deep breath through your nose. Fill your diaphragm with maximum air and then exhale. This technique can help you reduce heart problems and high blood pressure. This breathing exercise is advisable to do in an event where you feel stressed.

Nadi Shodhana or “alternate nostril breathing”

This technique is mostly done when you need to calm yourself and attain a balance. Block your right nostril with your thumb and inhale from your left nostril. When enough air is filled, block the left nostril and exhale through your right nostril. This exercise must be done when you need to focus or want to energize yourself.

Progressive Relaxation

In order to relax your body from head to toe, close your eyes and focus on the tensed muscles one-by-one. Spend 2-3 seconds on each tensed muscle beginning from your toe. All this must be done while taking deep breaths. The exercise can be done at any place where there is a flat surface to lie down. 

Visualising

Take deep breaths while you visualize positive and beautiful images replacing all the negativity in your life. It is done when you want to let go off all the negativity which has taken a toll on your life.

Stress, problems and negativity will always be there surrounding you. But make sure you find some positivity in life and start taking deep breaths so that your body can relax and let go off the stress.

Image: Shutterstock

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