Deep belly-breathing not only calms your stress but also reduces the risk of many diseases associated with aging!

Deep belly-breathing not only calms your stress but also reduces the risk of many diseases associated with aging!

You've probably known that deep belly breathing calms you from feeling stressed and anxious. You may not know that it does more than psychologically calming us. It slows down our heartbeat thus creating several health benefits to us physiologically. Researchers have found that how we breathe affects how we heal.

Deep belly breathing does two things to our hearts:

  1. Our heartbeat slows down (bpm)
  2. Our heart beats more coherently.

In 2006, Julian Thayer and Esther Sternberg, researchers at Ohios State University and the National Institutes of Health, published a review of all the studies concerning the amplitude and variations of biological rhythms (i.e. heartbeat).

They've concluded that when our heart beats 'coherently' as seen in the lower graph of the picture, we experience several health benefits:

  • Better functioning of the immune system
  • Reduction of inflammation
  • Better regulation of blood sugar levels

These three biological changes help us preventing and / or reversing many diseases, especially those related to metabolic syndromes such as hypertension, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, and even the development of cancer.

As we age, our heart beats more 'chaotic' without us knowing. The weakening of this equilibrium is associated with a few health problems linked to aging: high blood pressure, cardiac insufficiency, complications from diabetes, infarction, sudden death, and cancer.

Now, have I given you enough incentive to breathe deeply?

If yes, here is how you do it -

As we inhale, count 3 counts, Pause 1 count, and exhale in 6 counts. As you inhale, you'll feel your stomach expanding and deflating as you exhale.

Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Simple, right?

Repeat 10 times or longer if you are in an anxious state. Repeat it as many times as you need to calm your mind down.

You can also use deep belly breathing to aid your attempt in meditation. Focus on your breathing for a couple of minutes and you'll find it easier to focus your mind too.


?? To our health,

Shirlyn





Mohammed Khaled

Business Designer ?? Helping you build a successful business and brand ?? Digital marketer for various companies. Marketing is my playground and innovation is my passion | Armed with self-learning |, DM for inquiries ??

1 个月

Shirlyn Lim - Mental Health Speaker I'm reaching out with a heavy heart to inform you that my family and I are currently facing imminent death and bombardment in Gaza. The situation is dire, and we urgently need assistance to escape this genocide??. Your generosity during this difficult time would mean the world to us. Thank you for your compassion and support. To support , please consider donating through this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mohammads-family-escape-gazas-devastation Warm regards, Mohammed khaled

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Delicia Loh - Head, Products (Director)

Helping professionals achieve personal and leadership success through self-leadership | Banking veteran | Aspiring speaker | Master of Science in Financial Management | Mum

1 个月

Wow, sounds really scientific and effective. something which takes training cos it’s indeed hard to remember to breathe when we are mentally and emotionally charged.

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Eric Feng (CSP) - Global Speaker

I help experts & founders get paid to speak

1 个月

Totally agree! Just taking a few deep breaths can make such a big difference when things get intense.

Wilson Phang - Empathy Speaker, FA Director AFP AWP MDRT

Empathy Speaker: Financial Empowerment Through Communication - Speaker & Coach

1 个月

Breathing is often overlooked, yet it's a powerful tool for managing stress and enhancing well-being. Excited to dive into this week's article and explore the psychological and physiological benefits of mindful breathing. Thanks for highlighting this essential practice!

CF WONG, Finance Business Partner, Speaker, Career Coach, Leadership, CGMA, CPA, CFP?

Growth Catalyst Finance Business Partner | Digital Transformation | Speaker | Career Coach

1 个月

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