Deep Dive: The Power of BreathBreathing exercises, though simple, offer a powerful and accessible way to manage stress, enhance focus, and increase energy levels. This episode provides an overview inspired by an article I originally published on my 𝕏 feed. And here’s the article that inspired this episode:Why Breathing Exercises Can Feel Like MagicBreathing—it’s something we all do without thinking. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗺, 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱? Breathing exercises can feel like pure magic, giving you an instant tool to improve your day and your mindset. Let’s dive into how they work and why they might be the simple answer you didn’t know you needed. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 Most of us only breathe deeply when we’re working out or sighing after a long day. Normally, we take shallow breaths, which bring in just enough oxygen to keep us going but not enough to fully nourish our bodies. Deep breathing changes that, helping you take in more oxygen, which fuels your mind and body and reduces stress. Imagine this: when you’re stressed, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, releasing stress hormones. But when you take a few deep breaths, you signal to your brain that it’s safe to relax. You’re literally telling your body, “Hey, it’s okay—calm down.” In turn, your stress hormones drop, and you feel more in control. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 1. Instant Calm Have you ever been in a situation where you felt overwhelmed or nervous? Next time, try this: close your eyes, inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a second, and exhale fully. Repeat this a few times. Notice how you feel? This exercise, called “𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩,” gives your mind a break and clears away stress. 2. More Energy, Less Stress Breathing exercises are like an energy boost without caffeine. When you breathe deeply, you get a full supply of oxygen, which wakes up your brain and body. Just a few minutes a day can be enough to keep stress levels down, making you feel more energized and clear-headed. 3. Focus and Clarity If your mind often feels cluttered, breathing exercises can help. They push out distractions and bring you back to the present moment, sharpening your focus and boosting your creativity. Think of it as pressing the “reset” button on your mind—ready to tackle whatever’s next. 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁: 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 Try this exercise anytime you need a boost or a calming reset: * Step 1: Sit comfortably and close your eyes. * Step 2: Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of four, feeling your belly expand. * Step 3: Hold your breath for two seconds. * Step 4: Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of four. Repeat a few times, and notice how much clearer and more centred you feel. Breathing exercises might seem simple, but they’re powerful. They help you tune into your own needs and guide you back to feeling calm and present. And the best part? You already have everything you need within you. Try a few deep breaths today—you might just feel the magic too. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindsetrebuild.substack.com/subscribe
# Breathing ExercisesTechniques that leverage the power of breath to enhance mental and physical wellness, reduce stress, and improve focus.
#2248 - Michael Waddell
