Many people develop the bad habit of breathing quickly and shallowly, which has significant disadvantages. Because the chest muscles are used extensively during this breathing pattern, it requires a lot of energy and can make you feel anxious because your body confuses short breaths for stress.
Using your breath to its full potential can help you feel less stressed and anxious. Including basic breathing techniques in your everyday practice can have a big impact. Develop the habit of breathing deeply, all the way down to your belly.
- For as long as four heartbeats, or more, but not five, quietly and deeply inhale through your nose and fill your abdomen with air, pushing the diaphragm low.
- Exhale through your mouth, raising your diaphragm and pressing your abdomen on your spine for a maximum of four heartbeats, or more, but not five.
- Repeat this process 21 times, for example.
With time, you can extend the duration of your inhalations and exhalations; for instance, you could use six hearth counts rather than four. and even more repeats—98 repetitions, to be exact.
