We often take breathing techniques underrated. Life has relied on breath for at least 2.5 billion years. Breath predates most life-supporting functions. This biological heritage states how deeply breath is integrated across neurological systems. It is such a powerful tool, in fact, that recent scientific studies have demonstrated deep breathing techniques to positively affect the heart, the brain, digestion, the immune system and possibly even the expression of genes.

Deep breathing techniques are used voluntarily  to activate the autonomic nervous system, resulting in changes in blood chemistry and hormone levels that enabled the participants to override the body’s natural immune response after being injected with an endotoxin and, essentially, not get sick. The same breathing techniques, in combination with mindfulness practices, have been used to withstand extreme cold and accomplish world-record breaking feats of athleticism all using the simple power of deep breathing. Deep breathing is so important for kids to learn because they can use it to calm their body down when stressed, anxious, angry, or other strong emotions. Children should try to breathe all the way from their stomach and as slow and deep as possible. Deep breathing tells your body and brain to relax.

Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique that helps you slow down your breathing when having an anxiety attack . Naturally newborn babies breathe this way, and singers, wind instrument players, and yoga practitioners use this type of breathing. This technique is a good idea to know how to manage overbreathing , because this overbreathing can actually make you feel even more anxious (e.g., due to a racing heart, dizziness, or headaches), also one of a great portable tool that you can use whenever you are feeling anxious. It involves taking smooth, slow, and regular breaths. Using this technique sitting upright is usually better than lying down or slouching, because it can increase the capacity of your lungs to fill with air where it is best to take off the weight from your shoulders by supporting your arms on the side-arms of a chair, or on your lap. Pursed lip breathing is also a kind and pacing yourself will help when you exercise and when climbing stairs will help to calm you when you feel anxious.

 Abdominal breathing is just one of the many breathing exercises improving you mind and body’s internal rhythm.One full breath (inhalation and exhalation) every 10 seconds has been found to be most helpful for stabilizing the nervous system and reducing blood pressure. Use of the hands on the chest and abdomen is needed only to help you train your breathing when you feel comfortable with your ability to breathe into your abdomen, you no longer need to place your hands on your chest and abdomen. 

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