Theme: Healthy Practices
Challenge: Just Breathe

You always have with you a powerful tool that can quickly reduce your stress, lower your blood pressure, and re-energize you: your breath. It's easy to overlook breathing. After all, it's an automatic process and something each of us to do about 20,000 times a day. Because breathing is so easy to ignore, few of us tap into the power of breathing to make us healthier. This week, let's change that! Let's set aside a few minutes each day to focus on our breathing. Let's breathe slowly, deliberately, and deeply, and watch how it improves our lives.

I was introduced to deep breathing several years and was pretty skeptical of what it could do for me. I was wrong. It's a game changer. I now use deep breathing to reduce my stress, keep my blood pressure in check, transition from one work project to another, and as a relaxation technique before any dental checkup. I love that it's so portable! I may forget my keys, but I always have what I need to breathe. I think you'll be impressed with what deep breathing can do for you.

There are a lot of ways to practice deep breathing. The resources below highlight several techniques. There is no "right way" or "wrong way" to breathe deeply. I'd suggest trying out a few approaches to see what works best for you.

This Week's Challenge: Please watch the TED Talk (link below) and participate in the breathing exercise. Then review Dr Weil's recommended deep breathing techniques (link below in the resources section). Choose one of the deep breathing methods mentioned in the video or Dr Weil article. Use that method as your starting point to practice deep breathing.

Please set aside at least 5 minutes twice a day this week to practice breathing deeply. Look for opportunities when a few minutes of deep breaths could help you relax and reduce your stress. Or, if you need an afternoon pick-me-up, try an energizing breathing session instead of a cup of coffee. If you've got children at home for the summer, you need the stress break that deep breathing provides!

And if you're interested, try out a few different deep breathing techniques this week!

I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress with this week's challenge. Please post any frustrations, suggestions, or questions you may have for our group. We can all learn from each other!


Make it a great week!

...............................................................................................

Suggested Resources:

Three Breathing Exercises And Techniques:
(Note that there are videos demonstrating each technique)
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/stress-anxiety/breathing-three-exercises/

Breathe. Exhale. Repeat: The Benefits of Controlled Breathing
(This article also includes recommended breathing techniques)
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/well/mind/breathe-exhale-repeat-the-benefits-of-controlled-breathing.html

Relaxation Techniques: Breath Control Helps Quell Errant Stress Response
http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response

Breathing And Your Brain: Five Reasons To Grab The Controls
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2013/05/14/breathing-and-your-brain-five-reasons-to-grab-the-controls/#6568256d2d95

.............................................................................................