Everyone experiences stress, but there are plenty of ways to combat it. Exercise, a long hot bath, yoga, music, and even a massage are all proven stress relievers. But the most underrated stress reliever is something you’re doing right now: breathing.
While deep breathing is relaxing and calming, it also affects the heart, brain activity, digestive system, and immune system. Dr. Mladen Golubic, a Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Integrative Medicine physician, states the deep connection between our breath and physiological health. Asthma, COPD, and cardiac arrest are influenced by breath control and exercises; people who practice these techniques live longer than those who don’t. An article by Gretchen Cuda on NPR explains more about this topic.
Research shows that breathing exercises can have immediate effects on the pH level of blood and that they can also regulate blood pressure. Breath training can help you handle stressful situations and control anxiety.
