One of our new members over in the Reconnection Club recently posted an introduction in which she said she was reminding herself to breathe.
There was a time in my life when such a thing would have struck me as bizarre; isn’t breathing automatic? Why would anyone need to remember to do it?
But the more I learn about breathing, the more I come to understand that not all breathing is automatic
Survival breathing is what we do automatically; its only job is to keep us alive. But depending on our history and present circumstances, our survival breathing may be very different from breathing to maximize health and well-being.
In short, breathing for survival is not the same as breathing for life, which is what that wise new member is probably wanting to do.
Keep It Simple
Life- and health-giving breathing doesn’t have to be complicated. Pick ONE of the following:
– Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
– Concentrate on inviting the breath to go deep, not stay up near your neck.
– Let your belly expand when you breathe in.
– Slow your breathing to 5-6 breaths per minute. Or…
– Make your exhale longer than your inhale.
Doing even one of these daily, even for 5 minutes, can create positive changes.
Mindful breathing is free, requires no equipment, and has been acknowledged as an effective health practice by cultures all over the world.
That’s definitely something worth remembering.