Breathing Exercises
Breathing is powerful! It’s not only the way we keep our bodies functioning, but we can use it as a major influencing factor on our state of mind.
Most of us don't breathe deeply enough, but the simple act of
breathing correctly can help us reduce stress and tension. Many holistic practitioners believe that breathing is the link between the physical body andthe ethereal mind, and scientific studies have shown that correct breathingcan help manage stress and stress-related conditions by soothing the nervous system.
In fact, proper breathing is said to be one of the most effective techniquesfor relieving stress. The way we breathe affects the tension in our musclesand influences our thoughts and feelings, and that’s why many health practitioners advise people to do breathing exercises regularly.
If you have never tried breathing exercises before, try them now.
1. First go to a quiet location that is free of distractions, where you can sit or lay in a comfortable body position. Some also say you can stand up, but I believe that decreases your ability to relax.
2. Start by breathing slowly, but deeply. Take air in through your nose, and then blow the air out through your mouth. Deep breathing means drawing air down into your abdomen. Don’t just take the air into your throat and breathe out. That’s what we usually do. Begin by slowly breathing in through your nose to a count of 5, and then slowly exhale through your mouth to a count of 6.
3. Continue for at least 2 minutes, and then notice what happens.
Notice how relaxed you can make yourself feel! Continue to practice this whenever you feel it is necessary.
Courtesy of: http://www.tranquilityisyours.com/breathing-exercises.html
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Moving the Earth beneath Your Feet
When was the last time you took your shoes off and felt the grass or sand under your feet? Did you know that doing this, not only helps you get in touch with the earth and nature (grounded), it allows your body to calm down and escape from the continual stress of our daily lives.
In our industrious world, there is a conditioning to believe that if we are not “busy” or “achieving” we are less than successful. Because of this, we are always on the go and, in turn, our bodies are constantly in the ‘fight/flight response mode’.
The original reason for ‘fight/flight’ is to assist us with our survival techniques, especially in times when we sense danger. In days gone by this would help with hunting ones food or defending ourselves from predators. Nowadays we are constantly in survival mode, responding to life’s challenges with things like defending our jobs within the company, raising children, or just hunting that exam result, etc.
The physical reaction when in ‘fight/flight’, is that the body signals to respond to danger/excitement. The response mechanism is the adrenal glands receiving adrenaline and cortisol, our lungs expanding and our heart beating faster which enables our muscles and brain to receive extra blood and oxygen. This enables us to think and act quickly, to help us respond to the situation we are faced with. Whilst this is happening, some other bodily responses will include the digestive, lymphatic and urinary systems slowing or shutting down. This happens because the last thing we want to do whilst fighting or fleeing from a big bear is to go to the bathroom!
Sure, this reaction is necessary to respond to danger, but the ramifications when the ‘fight/ flight response’ is constant, are that the body struggles with digestion and toxin release and never has time to rejuvenate or heal.
This is where Reflexology and complementary therapies are invaluable in our lives. Reflexology enables the body to switch off ‘fight/flight’ which reactivates all the body systems and gives us a chance to heal.
So, next time you are in the garden or at the beach. Take your shoes off, feel the earth beneath your feet, and give your body a chance to recover from it’s stresses.
Alyson McRitchie (January 2009)
