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The Science of Deep Breathing and Why It's Vital to Health

November 3rd, 2020

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In modern society, multitasking and hustling are top priorities. More and more people are pursuing side gigs in addition to their full-time careers in an effort to reach the top of the corporate ladder. While a healthy dose of determination can be good, those who spread themselves too thin may be at risk of burnout and certain mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

In a world where stopping to take a breath feels like a luxury, it might seem more challenging than ever to find peace of mind. However, feeling calm and centered is more attainable than you think. Deep breathing is a simple exercise that leads to numerous benefits for overall health and well-being. If you're ready to try out this practice for yourself, consider these top deep breathing benefits.

Reduced Anxiety & Depression

Mental health disorders are rampant in today's society. Levels ofanxiety and depression seem to heighten every day as the stressors of everyday life take their toll on people. As an increasing number of patients seek out a reliable remedy for stress and anxiety, they are desperate to find a solution that doesn't come with any harmful side effects.

Deep breathing exercises allow you to find relief from psychological distress in a safe and healthy way. By taking a few minutes every day to find a quiet spot and focus on your breathing, you can better manage your symptoms and achieve a sense of calm in your everyday life.

young woman deep breathing at home for health benefits

Decreased Pain

When you're all tensed up and stressed, it can exacerbate your body's pain response. An easy way to reduce the amount of pain you experience is to practice deep breathing. Not only does breathing mindfully help put you in a more relaxed position, but it also causes your body to release endorphins, which are chemicals in your brain that help you feel good. Endorphins also play a critical role in decreasing your perception of pain.

Improved Stress Management

Managing stress properly is one of the biggest obstacles that people face today. Fortunately, one of the most notable deep breathing benefits is reduced stress. In the same way that breathing deeply helps reduce your body's pain response, it also helps minimize the way your brain perceives stress. The result is a calmer and more focused state of mind.

Once you learn how to breathe deeply, you can even turn to this exercise during times of heightened stress. Whether you have an important presentation coming up at work or a demanding routine to take care of at home, taking a pause to breathe mindfully can make all the difference.

calm woman deep breathing meditating at work

Enhanced Immunity

Believe it or not, the benefits of deep breathing aren't limited to psychological benefits. Engaging in deep breathing exercises on a regular basis can also positively impact your immune system.

This phenomenon occurs because of oxygenation. The more you focus on breathing deeply, the more oxygen you supply to the blood in your veins.

Oxygenated blood transports vital nutrients more efficiently, which allows your body to get the most out of these vitamins. This process is essential to building immunity. The more quickly your body receives important nutrients, the faster it can fight off illnesses and help you recover from them.

Higher Energy Levels

Because deep breathing is a calming exercise, you may think that it only causes you to feel more tired. However, the exact opposite is true. When you supply your blood with higher levels of oxygen by breathing deeply, it helps increase your energy. This plays an important part in boosting your mood and allowing you to feel more alert throughout the day.

Faster Recovery

If you've ever completed an intense workout, you know how much of a toll it can take on your body. You might even feel sore or fatigued while recovering from a demanding exercise session. What you may not know is that there's a much healthier and more productive way to recover from intense physical activity.

Deep breathing has been shown to improve the way your body responds to demanding forms of exercise. Not only does it help your body grow more accustomed to exhausting workouts, but it also reduces your chances of injury. In this way, deep breathing exercises allow you to train your body to recover more quickly from workouts.

woman deep breathing after intense workout lying on mat

Reduced Blood Pressure

Breathing deeply helps your muscles become more relaxed. When this happens, your blood vessels begin to dilate, which stimulates circulation. Improved circulation is vital to decreased blood pressure, which enables you to feel calmer and more centered.

One of the most essential deep breathing benefits is a healthier heart rate, which directly contributes to lower blood pressure. No matter how you decide to do it, deep breathing can not only keep your entire cardiovascular system strong and healthy, but it also has the power to help you feel more relaxed in every way.

Improved Muscle Stability

You might not give much thought to your core muscles, but keeping these body parts strong is essential to improving your overall balance and stability. Breathing deeply helps train your muscles in this area to become stronger over time. By consistently practicing deep breathing exercises, you can improve your core muscle stability a little bit at a time. This can give you the strength you need while playing sports and even engaging in everyday activities.

Learn How Deep Breathing Benefits Can Improve Your Own Life

Deep breathing is more than just an exercise to incorporate into your routine. While breathing mindfully may be a simple process, it carries numerous benefits that have the potential to improve many different areas of your life.

Whether you're trying to reduce your depression and anxiety or strengthen your immunity, you'd be surprised at what you can accomplish simply by paying attention to your breathing. Keep these deep breathing benefits in mind to get the most out of each mindfulness session and enhance your well-being.

young peaceful woman enjoying deep breathing mindfulness meditation.

Clarity Clinic

At Clarity Clinic, we have highly trained staff who specialize in therapy and psychiatry services. To learn more about how we can support your mental health, call Clarity Clinic at (312) 815-9660 or schedule an appointment today.

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