Healthy Living in Austin, Texas

Good Morning Friends! I found some helpful tips I wanted to share with you involving making your day better by simply breathing.. From blowing away stress to putting the wind back in your sails, Breathing the right way can improve your health and boost your Joy!

Step 1 : Rev your Metabolism with slimming “ocean” breaths. ~ Ocean breaths or “Loud” breaths are proven to strengthen your cardiovascular system. “The effort it takes to make that sound as you breathe in and out creates a slight resistance in your lungs that builds heat in your body,” Another word for heat? Energy! Ocean breaths spike the release of adrenaline the same heart pumping (and slimming) stuff that your body produces when you exercise! Inhale and Exhale deeply through your mouth repeat four times, then close your mouth and Inhale and Exhale through your nose, still breathing loudly.

Step 2 : Lower your Blood Pressure with relaxing “slow” breaths! ~ Studies show that if you take 10 or fewer breaths per minute, you can Lower your Blood Pressure. Deep Breathing stimulates and engages the parasympathetic branch of your nervous system, which tells your body it’s okay to relax. Slow breathing can boost your Kidneys’ ability to break down salt, thereby lowering your Blood Pressure.

Step 3 : Slash stress and boost Energy with the calming “three – part” breath! 60 second belly breaths ~ Place your hands on your belly and breathe deeply through your nose. Now expand to a “Three – Part,” which brings seven times more oxygen into your lungs, boosting your energy. “Inhale and feel your belly rise under your hands, Continue to breathing up into your rib space, then all the way up to your collarbone.”

Step 4 : Boost Brain Power with clarifying breaths! ~ Alternate – Nostril breathing balances the two hemispheres of your brain by getting equal amounts of oxygen to both sides, just 10 minutes of alternate – nostril breathing improves mental clarity. Lowers your heart rate which reduces strain on your cardiovascular system, slashing your risk of heart disease.
With the thumb of your right hand, block off your right nostril and breathe in through your left one. Then, using the ring finger of your right hand, block your left nostril and Exhale through your right. Continue alternating nostrils until you feel more relaxed.