Q; Can deep breathing really help?
Ans: An absolute beyond a shadow of a doubt- YES. Breathing is both voluntary and involuntary and NUMEROUS studies show its beneficial effects. it is something we do ALL the time ALL day and night and yet when we control it for short periods of time, the benefits are mind clearing!
Scientific research shows that short periods of meditation, using breathing as a focus, could alter the body’s stress response. It has been shown to decrease pain and high blood pressure as well as relieve anxiety, diffuse anger, slow heart rate, improve asthma symptoms, etc.
“In his new book, Relaxation Revolution, Benson claims his research shows that breathing can even change the expression of genes. He says that by using your breath, you can alter the basic activity of your cells with your mind.
“It does away with the whole mind-body separation,” Benson says. “Here you can use the mind to change the body, and the genes we’re changing were the very genes acting in an opposite fashion when people are under stress.”
It engages the parasympathetic part of the nervous system- the side that calms us down.
Children over the age of 2 can learn how to take deep calming breaths….and parents can model that behavior by taking deep slow breaths whenever they are feeling stressed..
Great question- there is tons of information on the subject.
Consciously practice deep breathing every day- a few minutes here and there and see what happens- write down the benefits you notice.
We love helping improve the health of your family.
Dr Franz