The Benefits and Importance of Deep Breathing To Our Nervous System calm

We hear it all the time. “Take a deep breath”. Whether you’re overwhelmed, stressed or want to calm down, the recommended advice is to breathe deeply. But why exactly is deep breathing so great for our nervous system? Is it really that beneficial for our bodies and how can we know if we’re doing it correctly?

What does deep breathing actually do?

Deep breathing activates the body’s natural relaxation response. This lowers your heartbeat, allows your muscles to relax and decreases your blood pressure

Deep breathing is an intentional exercise that increases the supply of oxygen to the brain. This in turn stimulates the nervous system allowing us to feel calm and at peace It’s one of the best practices you can do no matter where you are - and even better is completely free of charge! According to the American Institute of Stress, deep abdominal breathing for 20 minutes a day can dramatically improve anxiety and stress symptoms.

Deep breathing improves digestion, immunity and overall energy levels It detoxes the body and triggers the release of endorphins. For something so simple, it really does have countless benefits for the body.

How to deep breathe

When you first start practising deep breathing, it might feel a bit strange or even uncomfortable. This is completely normal - that’s why it’s recommended to start with just 5 minutes a day to get more familiar with the exercise

When first starting out, it can be helpful to use the pursed lip breathing technique. It can be used at any time and is recommended for beginners To do it, simply:

Take a deep breath, pause and relax your neck and upper body Slightly draw your elbows back and allow your chest to expand Close your mouth and inhale slowly through your nose for 2 seconds Retain your breath for 5 seconds

Pucker/purse your lips and exhale slowly for 4 seconds

That’s it! Try not to worry too much about adhering to the instructions exactly as stated. Focus more on what feels natural for you. Before you know it, this type of exercise will become second nature

Once you get comfortable with this exercise, you can try out other deep breathing techniques to help you feel more relaxed and centred. This not only allows your body to feel at peace but also relieves shortness of breath.

The benefits of deep breathing to calm our nervous system

Deep breathing isn’t just for offhand moments when we feel stressed out Try incorporating deep breathing into your daily routine and notice the effects it has on your body You may be surprised just how effective this simple exercise is.

5 The Systems of Flow in our bodies

When it comes to the human body, there are multiple systems that help keep us alive. Each of these 5 systems (nerves, arterial, veins, energy, lymph) serve different functions and are needed to keep us healthy But what exactly do each of these systems do and how can we look after them in our day-to-day lives?

Nerves

The nervous system is involved in nearly every aspect of our health It’s the reason we wake up, breathe, think, feel, read and remember. The nervous system controls nearly everything that happens with our bodies. From thoughts and emotions to movement, balance and coordination, our nervous system is one of the most important systems in the body.

To keep your nervous system healthy and balanced, you can do things such as:

Regularly exercise

Get a sufficient amount of sleep

Get out and about in the sunlight

Meditate

Walk outside barefoot

Drink green tea

Eat healthy foods

Arterial

Our arteries are blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood from our hearts to our tissues. Arteries have thick walls that are elastic and tough. They come in many different sizes and can be found throughout the body.

One of the biggest issues that people face with their arteries is clots To help unclog arteries and stay safe, it’s recommended to not smoke, reduce high blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol and add cruciferous vegetables, fish, berries, oats and greens to your diet.

Veins

Veins are blood vessels located throughout the body that collect oxygen-poor blood and return it to the heart. Since veins deliver blood to the heart, we simply couldn’t survive without them.

Energy

Like a car runs on petrol, human bodies run on chemical energy Energy comes from three main nutrients - carbs, protein and fats. Interestingly enough, most of the energy our bodies need is for being in states of rest.

If someone wants to boost their energy, they can try any of the following:

Eat more food

Reduce alcohol intake

Exercise regularly

Reduce stress - stress consumes large amounts of energy

Increase your magnesium intake

Avoid spikes in blood sugar

Sleep a sufficient amount

Lymph

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It helps the body fight off disease and infection and keeps us healthy It’s necessary to remove toxins and to keep the body cleansed and strong. To help create flow in the lymphatic system, try:

Drinking more water

Use dry brushing

Avoid wearing tight clothes

Take hot and cold showers

Exercise regularly

Practice deep breathing

There are so many important systems that make up the human body. Make sure you look after yours

The Benefits of Abdominal Massage

If you’re someone who's had a baby, you’re probably familiar with the various abdominal massages recommended to help your little one pass gas. You may have seen funny videos online and marvelled at just how effective these movements are for babies! But for something that works so well for little ones, why can’t it be used on adults too?

Massaging the stomach is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries. It has countless benefits on the gut, digestion and nervous system and is a great way to relieve pain. Here are just some of the many benefits that abdominal massage has on the body:

Improves digestive health

Improves bowel movements and frequency

Boosts the immune system

Improves bad posture

Helps release physical tension

Helps treat stress

Alleviates cramps and PMS-related pain

Massaging the stomach is a great way to detoxify the body and improve your digestive system. Since emotional stress is largely tied to the gut, massaging the stomach regularly can help reduce tension and promote relaxation.

How to massage the stomach

Abdominal massages aren’t just for when you have an upset stomach. They’re for people with neurological conditions, elderly people, spinal injury patients and more. Aside from just relieving constipation, abdominal massages can be a great practice to incorporate into your daily routine.

To massage your stomach, lie flat on your back and assume a comfortable position. It can be helpful to use massage oil or moisturiser to make the process more comfortable and soothing. Next, place both of your hands at the base of your stomach and use the flats of your hands to stroke upwards towards your rib cage. Repeat for at least 10 times or as long as needed.

The benefits of abdominal massage

Abdominal massages work the energy of the internal organs to help improve both emotional and physical health. With the belief that our emotional stress is stored within the digestive system, abdominal massages are an effective and non-invasive treatment to treat an array of health concerns. To get started, enquire about treatments with abdominal massages included with a therapist. Alternatively, try your hand at massaging your stomach at home. No matter how you do it, massaging your stomach regularly is a practical way to improve your physical and mental health.