Breathe...

Breathing. It is a simple prescription that I often give to patients. We all breathe everyday but many people could brush up on their technique. A rhythmic, slow and balanced "belly breath" is optimal to stay happy and healthy as it regulates the heart, the nervous system, digestion and circulation. Shallow, rapid and irregular "chest breathing" is more characteristic of stress and anxiety and certainly doesn't bode well for relaxation. If you ever find yourself flustered or anxious, take a moment and try this breathing exercise. It will help centre and ground you, allowing you to gain a bit more perspective on the mind-body connection and the power of a breath.

The Complete Breath:

1. Make sure to sit in a comfortable seated position with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor.
2. Close your eyes and place your hands on your lower belly, below the belly button.
3. Inhale slowly through the nose, breathing deeply and consciously allowing your ribs to expand and your lower abdomen to push out at the level of your hands (3-5 seconds).
4. Next, focus on filling the top of the lungs to expand the chest (3-5 seconds).
5. Hold your breath for a moment.
6. Exhale slowly and purposefully, emptying the chest first and the abdomen last.
7. Repeat 4 times and enjoy the relaxation.

Oxygen is vital for our existence, and deep breathing can have a tremendous effect on our bodies. I hope you take advantage of this simple but effective technique. Happy Breathing!