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Writer's pictureChris Weinkauff Duranso

Breathe. Wait. Breathe some more.



Breathing cannot be underrated. It is essential for human life, and it is also essential for our well-being. When stressed, getting oxygen to the brain helps us think clearly, problem solve, create, remember, reason, react, and respond. Typically, when we are stressed we tend to unconsciously tense our muscles, especially in the jaw, neck, upper arms and upper back, and hold our breathe.


This is counterproductive.



It may have helped in the short term for primal man, when the stress was the result of a life-endangering interaction with a lion or bear: tensing up to prepare for injury may have served some purpose. It doesn't help modern man when our stressors are typically situational instead of environmental, though.


So, let's breathe. And relax. And breathe some more. Breathing helps send oxygenated blood to the extremities and the brain. Oxygenated blood helps us reason, remember, focus, react and respond effectively. It is like revving the engine in your car, after it has sat still for a while but has also warmed up a little. It sends a rush of fuel to the engine and 'wakes up' your car, right? Too much revving, or revving the engine before it is warmed up, can cause damage to the engine.


Same goes for our body. Taking deep breathes can help you similarly.





Too much deep breathing can cause hyperventilation. Not good. Breathing deeply before you are adequately awake and moving around (like your car warming up) can risk pulling a muscle or, my go to, choking on your own saliva (This reminds me of the time I choked on a piece of meat at a fancy restaurant with my in-laws, whom I had just recently met... so embarrassing, and resulted in a trip to the ER by ambulance. Another day, another story..).


Deep breathing too soon is not life threatening, but may be uncomfortable! So, get up, move around, then do some deep breathing. It is good for you in a variety of ways, not just stress relief!



Deep breathing for stress relief. Try it. Today. Because today is bound to be stressful. And tomorrow, and several days thereafter.


Get used to practicing deep breathing.


And then you can throw in some stretches to ease those tense muscles! You will thank yourself for these little behavioral tweaks that can make a big difference in your life. Today and every day. The stresses we are experiencing today are not likely to go away any time soon, unfortunately, so let's get in the habit of practicing some good self-care and stress management using some easy to do, FREE strategies! No gym membership or fancy workout clothes required! You don't even have to sit in that fancy yoga position! Just sit up straight and tall, and breathe in! Deeply!


Today, especially today (and for the days and weeks to come...):


Be well, stay safe, and take care.

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