Breath is life. If you are reading this then you are breathing. 

But are you aware of the way you are breathing? 

Leading medical research has shown that how you breathe profoundly impacts your health. Many people just take short, shallow breaths. This can increase stress levels and cause many health problems. Whereas, deep breathing can reduce stress, manage depression, improve focus, slow your heart rate, and more.

Read on to learn more about deep breathing, and how you can take a deep breath and feel calm all day every day!

What is deep breathing?

Deep breathing, also known as abdominal breathing or belly breathing is simply defined as breathing with deep breaths, especially as an exercise or a method of relaxation. Deep breathing not only relaxes you, but it has also been scientifically proven to positively impact the heart, the brain, digestion, and the immune system.

Why do deep breathing?

We live in a fast-changing world. In today’s times, stress, anxiety, and the resulting health issues are all too common. A pandemic, climate change, large-scale conflict and wars, and food and water security are some of the major challenges of our times. 

All these problems can cause stress in our lives and negatively affect our health and well-being. So, it is imperative that we learn how to manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques and learning to breathe better.

According to US News, deep breathing is an effective way to manage stress and lower anxiety.

Observe how you breathe when you feel stressed. Your breath will be short and shallow. But when you’re relaxed, you’ll observe that your breath is slow and smooth. So, you see that your emotional state impacts your breath. And the reverse is also true. By doing some deep breathing you can positively impact the state of your mind.

Deep breathing is not just about relaxation, it's also been scientifically proven to have a positive effect on the heart, the brain, digestion, and the immune system.

It can improve your lung function, strengthen your respiratory system, alleviate depression, sharpen your focus, and increase the oxygen in the body.

Oxygen is a primary source of fuel for the body, and a constant supply is needed by every tissue and every cell to work properly.

Higher levels of oxygen circulating in your system means more oxygen gets to your brain, which helps you feel energized, improves your ability to concentrate, and enhances your memory.

One way to increase your oxygen levels is oxygen therapy. Another way that is simple, yet effective, is to practice some deep breathing techniques on a regular basis.

Diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing

The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs. Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, can help strengthen your diaphragm, which can in turn help you breathe better. 

Diaphragmatic breathing exercise also helps to increase lung capacity and improves the circulation of oxygenated blood.

If the oxygen levels are too low in your blood, many of your bodily systems can be negatively affected.

Belly breathing for relief of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third most common cause of death in the US. It’s a general term used for conditions marked by permanent inflammation of the bronchi, the tubes that bring air into the lungs. 

According to Harvard Medical School, “Diaphragmatic breathing can help people with COPD strengthen the diaphragm, which in turn helps them use less effort and energy to breathe.”

It's also a good technique for increasing relaxation, inducing progressive muscle relaxation, and may also help with weight loss, and asthma.

The importance of belly breathing

Deep breathing is quite often an overlooked way of improving our health. The incoming oxygen is what fuels our cells and helps to provide the required building blocks for our body’s various functions. As we breathe out, we release carbon dioxide, a waste product.

According to Harvard Medical School, “Deep abdominal breathing encourages full oxygen exchange — that is, the beneficial trade of incoming oxygen for outgoing carbon dioxide. Not surprisingly, it can slow the heartbeat and lower or stabilize blood pressure.”

Feel the Effects of Deep Breathing

Peer-reviewed studies show that deep breathing can have a direct effect on the overall activity level of the brain. In fact, you can feel the effects of deep breathing in just a few seconds. 

Simply taking a few deep breaths can be an effective way to deal with any stressful situation, and can slow the heartbeat and bring relaxation in no time.

To perform deep breathing:

• Sit upright in a comfortable position, and consciously relax your whole body

• Inhale slowly for a count of four, filling up your lungs fully

• Exhale slowly for a count of four to six, emptying the lungs completely

Practicing deep breathing regularly can help slow down your breathing rate, thereby, lowering your heart rate, and reducing stress. Breathing deeply forms the base for establishing breath focus. And focusing on your breath enables your mind to disengage from thoughts and calm down.

Here’s another easy-to-do, relaxing deep breathing exercise you can try right now.

The impact of deep breathing exercises

The power of the breath can be experienced when we practice breathing techniques, or pranayama, regularly. SKY Breath Meditation, a powerful breathing technique, can play a very important role in your health and overall well-being. It is rhythmic breathing that helps us in taking in more oxygen, increasing energy, managing emotions, and improving various health conditions.

Deep breathing techniques like SKY Breath Meditation can not only aid in the regulation of critical body processes, but can also increase overall sense of well-being, and lead to better health.

Beyond deep breathing exercises

So now you know that your breath is a powerful tool for a healthy body and mind. Of all the breathing techniques out there, SKY Breath Meditation is the one I’ve found to be most beneficial.  

More than 100 independent, peer-reviewed studies have shown SKY to offer a wide range of benefits for health and happiness.

Millions have been taught SKY Breath Meditation and have experienced the profound difference it makes to health and overall well-being. Click the image below to join a FREE, live online introduction to breath and meditation, and feel the impact for yourself.

And remember to breathe deeply.