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| 9.5 | Happiness Tip - Release Stress by Taking a Deep Cleansing Breath |
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How to immediately reduce stress by taking a deep diaphragmatic breath.
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 | When people start to feel stress, their heart rate goes up, they begin to take short shallow breaths and hormones are released that create anxiety. All of this is done to put us in a flight or fight state. When stress levels are kept high for extended periods of time it can be very bad for us. The aging process speeds up, you can become more susceptible to disease and infection, you become agitated easily and your risk for heart disease is greatly increased.
So, stress is bad! One way to combat stress right away is to stop what you are doing and take a deep breath. The process of stopping, slowing down, exhaling completely and inhaling slowly tells your body that the fear is gone. There is no longer a need to remain in a flight or fight state. Studies show that after a deep breath, you will be much more relaxed and you will be able to think clearer. Deep breathing also causes the release of endorphins that make you happier and help ease minor aches and pains.
The next time you start to feel stress, try this exercise:
1. Stand up with your head high.
2. Exhale through your mouth completely (try to push all of the air out of your lungs). While you are exhaling, suck your stomach in.
3. Inhale slowly through your nose (take at least 7 seconds to inhale completely). While you are inhaling, push your shoulders back a few inches and push your stomach out.
4. Hold your breath at the maximum inhalation for 7 seconds (stop immediately if you feel dizzy or sick).
5. Slowly exhale (try to take 10 to 14 seconds to exhale completely). As you exhale, bring your shoulders back to their normal position and suck your stomach in as far as you can.
6. Repeat this process for 5 breaths.
You will immediately feel better!
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| Leave a Comment About the Tip: 'Release Stress by Taking a Deep Cleansing Breath' |
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| Comments | Showing Comment 1 - 1 of 1 |
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| 1 | It Works |
| My dad always told me when I was getting worked up to take a deep breath. I am sure you have heard the same advice. That is because it works so well.
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| Comment 1 On:Release Stress by Taking a Deep Cleansing Breath
Added On: 1/26/2009 1:17:36 PM |
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