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SLOW YOUR BREATHING...
BY JOEL JELEN OF RESET BREATHING
I recently read a report coming out of Stanford
University in the States that shows how slow breathing
induces tranquillity - and frenetic and rapid breathing
creates tension.
Why? Well, scientists have identified a small group of
neurons that communicates goings-on in the brain's
respiratory control centre. I'm guessing that most of us
aren't so interested in why, but how many of us focus
on our breathing and allow it to determine how we feel?
For example, you feel stressed. Slow your breathing (once
you know how) and watch the change in how you feel!
Ok, sounds simple but hear me out.
The power of the breath is very apparent in this instance
but did you know it can regulate so many other functions
in the body that we take for granted? Perhaps, naturally.
I recommend everybody pays far more attention to their
daily breathing habits and slows their rate of breathing
(again, once they know how). Who wouldn't want to feel
more tranquil?
I've encouraged lots of people, in fact, whole companies
and organisations to do this as part of our Workplace
Wellbeing programmes that helps relax teams with a view
to increasing their relaxation and productivity.
I always begin the conversation by starting with almost
everybody’s favourite subject - food.
All food increases breathing. For example, how do you
feel after eating too much food? Frequent sighing or even
breathless?
Throughout evolution, our diet consisted of 95% alkaline
and 5% acid forming foods. Nowadays the reverse is true!
In an attempt to maintain ph levels and keep the body in
balance, the body stimulates overbreathing. Processed
foods also cause us to increase our breathing. Increase
your alkaline intake and you will help keep your breathing
pace and volume to a healthier level. Alkaline foods are
breathing-friendly foods!
I’m often asked in workshops by people who suffer from
food intolerances how this affects breathing. You can't
look at a restaurant menu without the words 'gluten-free'
jumping out at you, can you?
However, it's not just gluten if you're sensitive, that will
increase your breathing. Chocolate, milk, eggs, dairy, citrus
and red wine are the other common offenders that can
create, amongst other symptoms, overbreathing... mostly
because they affect the sinuses. The worst offender (don't
hate me) is usually chocolate!
Raw food, currently trending, is also more effective in
creating a calm breathing environment within the body
than cooked foods... thank heavens for the onset of
summer!
To conclude, a poor diet consisting of processed, acidic
foods and foods you are intolerant to - will increase your
breathing. Try to keep an eye on your breathing habits
during eating and drinking as you might find yourself
drawing in large breaths between bites. Keep your breathing
quiet and also breathe through your nose at mealtimes –
apart from it being good for your breathing and health, it's
far more polite too!
For more information, visit www.resetbreathing.com
54 wirrallife.com