Why is breathing important?
Breathing is amazing. It is something that happens automatically day and night from your first breath in as you begin life to your last breath out at the end of your life. It enables you to take in air, absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
Breathing patterns can reflect the stress and tension in your body. When you pay attention to your breathing you can make changes in your brain. You can actually change how your nervous system is working, simply through breathing. Shallow breathing activates your ‘fight or flight’ nervous system causing feelings of anxiety, stress and irritability. Emotions can also affect breathing causing tension and a feeling of being stuck which affects breathing.
Deep breathing uses your diaphragm, your abdomen and is sometimes called belly breathing. When you breathe deeply it can slow your heartbeat and lower blood pressure. Researchers have found that deep breathing improves attention and reduces stress.