Benefits of "Belly Breathing"

We all know that every living things needs oxygen in order to survive. Oxygen is essential for us, especially when we are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. However, a lot of times, when we're feeling stressed, we move our shoulders and chests while breathing, which can lead to more aches and pains. Instead, try breathing by only letting your stomach move. Your chest and shoulders should stay relatively still. It may help to place one hand on your abdomen and one hand on your chest while taking slow, deep breaths. It takes some practice getting used to it, but it seriously helps me. Here's my little testimonial: The other day, I was experiencing a crazy, pounding headache. You know, the kind that makes you stop whatever you are doing and just want to cry. It's seemed quite debilitating. I took Advil but wasn't feeling much results. Then I decided to lie down on my bed, and close my eyes, while taking long, slow breaths from my stomach. Otherwise known as diaphragmatic breathing. After about 32 breaths, I noticed my headache was almost gone. I kept doing some more "belly breaths"and soon after my headache was completely gone. Research shows that when we take time to focus on our breathing, it decreases the "fight or flight"reaction and lowers levels of hormones called glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are the hormones that signal the body to prepare for a battle against whatever is stressing us out and to become tense and otherwise uneasy. Basically, we want to avoid making the levels of glucocorticoids shoot up if and when possible because it can cause chronic stress. So next time your body starts to feel tense, sore or just painful, try taking several cleansing "belly breaths" and see how your body responds. It may not work for every single person, but it may help. It's worth a try, right?