A Good Sigh
Stress is a normal part of life, but too much can hurt our health. We get burnt out, exhausted and sometimes downright panicky. When this happens, there is a simple trick we can do to help us relax: breathe. No matter where we are or what time it is, we can use breathing techniques to calm down.
Breath Reset
Every five minutes or so, our bodies naturally reset our breathing. Your body resets its breathing by suddenly taking in a deep breath and breathing it out more slowly. It’s like you’re catching your breath. This breathing reset rebalances the state of our body.
Breath Balance
A sigh---a long, slow exhale---opens our lungs to let more oxygen into our bloodstream and gets rid of carbon dioxide. At the same time, our nervous system is told to relax. When we sigh, our heart rate slows down. We need this balance to help fight the effects of stress.
Deep Sigh Relief
The effects of a good, deep sigh are helpful in times of stress, anxiety or when we’re upset. It’s a way to quickly calm ourselves down, stabilize our heart rate and blood pressure, and even release muscle tension.
The 2 In, 1 Out Trick
To quickly relax, start by taking two quick breaths in through the nose. Breathe in deeply through your nose and then take another quick sniff---similar to the two quick breaths a crying child uses to calm down. After you take the two quick breaths, breathe out long and slow through your mouth. Blow out all the air from your lungs like you’re fogging up a mirror. This deep sigh tells our body to relax.
Belly Breathing
Belly breathing uses your diaphragm. To do it, sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Take a deep breath through your nose and feel the hand on your belly rise. Then, breathe out slowly through your mouth and let your belly fall inward. Do this for a few minutes and imagine your belly filling with air like a balloon, then slowly letting it deflate.
Release Stress
Stress can’t be avoided, but it can be dealt with. When you’re feeling under pressure or your nerves are on edge, these simple breathing tips can help you calm down and feel better. Remember to take time to breathe. So, the next time you’re stressed, remember these breathing tricks to feel calmer and more in control. Sigh your stress away.
