Breathe Deep And Lose

Having control over our eating habits can be difficult for many of us when we feel the stressed out. We tend to look at the short side of things and want instant relief in the form of a Big Mac or a pound of M&M's when we feel stress creep in. The is to release the overwhelming and uncomfortable feelings of stress but there are far better ways of accomplishing it. Dee breathing is one simple way to to conquer stress along with a host of other benefits that tag along including, improved skin clarity, improved blood circulation, reduced inflammation, increased fat metabolism and increased energy.

Breathing correctly can be powerful. The average person uses around twenty percent of their lung capacity, but with practice, they can learn how to tap into the lung?s full potential and sending a higher oxygen content to all the cells of the body have the body benefit from positive changes in general health and mood.

Famous health guru, Dr. Andrew Weil, says that if he could only give one tip for better health, it would be to breathe properly.

One particular clinical study of thousands of participants gives convincing evidence that the most significant factor in optimal health and longevity is the quality of how you breathe. Take a look at how controlled breathing works:

Get Going:

1. Sit or stand in a relaxed position.

2. Slowly inhale through your nose, counting to 6 hold for 4 in your head.

3. Let the air out from your mouth, counting to eight-12 in your head as it leaves your lungs. Repeat this for 10 breathes. That's it!

A little more advanced:

A slow inhale, followed by holding the breath, and concluding with an exhale twice as long as the inhale will help balance the CO2 level. This "4-7-8 Breathing" technique is great. You inhale to the count of four, hold the breath to the count of seven, and slowly exhale to the count of eight. The slow exhale is key to most forms of breath-work, and critical to achieving stress reduction.

1. As you breathe, let your abdomen expand outward, rather than raising your shoulders. This is a more relaxed and natural way to breathe, and helps your lungs fill themselves more fully with fresh air, releasing more 'old' air.

2. To release the stress practice this a few times a day for 5 minutes as a type of meditation.

3. If you like, you can make your throat a little tighter as you exhale so the air comes out like a whisper. This type of breathing is used in some forms of yoga and can add additional tension relief.

As Simple as it Comes:

If your brain is a little cluttered and you can't seem to remember what the number sequence is then make it simple. 4,4,4 breathing is about as simple and steady as it comes. Just inhale for a count of 4 hold for a count of 4 and release for a count of 4. Pretty simple even I can do it. Getting focused.

It is easy to become focused on a task, any task and forget to breathe properly. The tendency is to revert into shallow "chest breathing" when unfocused. As we begin to practice diaphragmatic breathing, with large measured breaths it will become more automatic. But, like anything else, proper breathing is a learned skill and practice is critical.

See the benefits in a few minutes, just try it for 10 breathes, make sure you are expanding your diaphragm and you will get immediate results.

With practice this simple breathing exercise can help you control those unwanted stress breaks that seem to rule us and promote self sabotage and self destruction even with the best intention. Ditch the drive through and chips by using this tool to help refocus our actions and calm our body. Add a positive control mechanism to help keep us on track during stressful moments.

Don't dismiss the simplicity of these breathing exercises, it doesn't have to be time consuming or difficult in order for it to work. Most client are amazed at the calm that comes over them and how the urge to eat diminishes with the use of deep breathes. Give it a try and give yourself a stress break.