Have you ever wondered how some people always seem to be cool, calm, and centered? Musicians, Actors, and Public Speakers seem to be as relaxed doing their thing as when they are hanging out in their own back yard.
On the other hand, everyone knows someone who is frazzled, freaked out or running around in circles full of anxiety, fear, and frustration. What if that could be minimized or even eliminated from their (or perhaps, your) life?
Well it can. It is something you can do right now (and it is free) that could completely change your life. Yeap, it is that powerful. It all starts with the breath.
Here are 3 reasons why you want to focus on your inhale (and exhale) and how it works to bring more balance, clarity, and happiness into your life.
1. Deliberately focusing on your breath while you inhale and exhale is scientifically proven to slow your heart rate. The reason this simple process works is because our bodies are made up of two nervous systems (The sympathetic nervous system and The parasympathetic nervous system).
The Sympathetic nervous system revs you up, preparing you for the fight-or-flight response if you were to find yourself in immediate danger. That used to mean being chased by a saber-toothed tiger but these days becomes triggered by public speaking, driving on a busy freeway, or making a sales call. As you become anxious your heart starts to pump more blood to your muscles which releases adrenaline into your system and further shortens your breath. What if, instead of feeling panicky or nervous (since there is no real immediate danger) you were able to remain calm, centered and confident? That is where the power of the breath comes in.
The other nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system calms down our nerves and helps us slow down and process rather than prepare to fight or flee.
The parasympathetic nervous system contains the Vagus nerve which starts in our brains and wanders throughout the body, touching just about every organ within. When the Vagus nerve is stimulated it regulates and slows down your heart rate.
A heart that is beating quickly makes you anxious, nervous (where the word comes from) and stressed out and one that is beating slowly makes you feel confident, calm and in control.
So bottom line- that is how important your breath is.
A long slow deep inhale activates the the parasympathetic nervous. Take a deep breath in through the nose and hold it for a count of four. Then release it through your nose for a count of four. The super cool thing is if you do this BEFORE you have to walk in the door to an important meeting or walk in for an interview you will have already activated your Vagus nerve sending those calming signals into your bloodstream.
2. Long, slow, deep breaths help you become more aware of your surroundings. As the mind chatter turns off the “what if” or “oh no” voices inside the head (your inner world) then your ability to take in more of your outer world is much greater. Ideas and innovation are more readily available to those that are able to clear the mind of distractions and useless worry.
Lastly, the breath helps you become more present. In this very moment you are breathing (this is true or you wouldn’t be reading this). Being in the moment helps you release thoughts of any past mistakes and to let go of worry or anxiety about the future.
3. A deep breath just feels damn good and at the end of the day, isn’t life about having fun anyway?
So if you are wondering how incorporating a ritual of doing deep focused breathing is going to help your business, attract a soul mate or put money in the bank. It may not do it directly, but as you send more oxygen into your brain (and it will do that), you will gain more clarity, have more energy, and live a healthier life which in turn will help you attract more clients, find the right partner, and energize you into action.
Love, Live, Give and Breath,
Wendi