Take a deep �re ath & reduce your stress By Dr. Gretchen Dyer and Amy Livingston MSHN, CNC continue HOLIDAY 2013 55 055-057 tFEA TakeADeepBreath.indd 55 11/8/13 9:36 AM
Take a deep �re ath & reduce your stress By Dr. Gretchen Dyer and Amy Livingston MSHN, CNC continue HOLIDAY 2013 55 055-057 tFEA TakeADeepBreath.indd 55 11/8/13 9:36 AM
Research shows that taking a few deep breaths each day can reduce your risk of heart As you start disease, stroke, anxiety, irritability and depression. During this busy holiday season, here are some ways to use your breathing in order to reduce your stress. to read this, Yoga, anyone? Yoga is not only great for increasing your flexibility and strength, it also teaches a mind/ close your mouth and body connection using deep breathing. A fluid breath brings a fluid movement in the body. The deep breathing slows your mind and creates a relaxing sensation, but any yoga connoisseur will tell you that it is also a great workout! Just think how an hour inhale deeply by expand- of deep breathing would feel after spending a few hours driving around crowded mall parking lots. ing your chest. Feel the air Just breathe reach your lungs. Hold it The most important organs needed for deep breathing are your lungs and diaphragm. You need an open chest and diaphragm in order to achieve the optimum stress-reduc- ing deep breath. Yet, we spend long hours hunched over a desk or in a car, or carrying for five seconds and just as small children and a heavy purse—all which contribute to poor posture. The rounded shoulders, tense neck muscles and tight upper back muscles cut off the air supply to you begin to exhale—close the lungs. As a result we take short, shallow breaths, which leads to stress. Visit a professional your eyes… Don’t you You can improve the function of your diaphragm though, by consulting a chiropractor. Chiropractors specialize in the structure and function of the spinal column, which isn’t feel better now? limited to back pain. Working on postural alignment also can alleviate holiday stress. 56 LUXURYOHLIVING 055-057 tFEA TakeADeepBreath.indd 56 11/8/13 9:36 AM
Research shows that taking a few deep breaths each day can reduce your risk of heart As you start disease, stroke, anxiety, irritability and depression. During this busy holiday season, here are some ways to use your breathing in order to reduce your stress. to read this, Yoga, anyone? Yoga is not only great for increasing your flexibility and strength, it also teaches a mind/ close your mouth and body connection using deep breathing. A fluid breath brings a fluid movement in the body. The deep breathing slows your mind and creates a relaxing sensation, but any yoga connoisseur will tell you that it is also a great workout! Just think how an hour inhale deeply by expand- of deep breathing would feel after spending a few hours driving around crowded mall parking lots. ing your chest. Feel the air Just breathe reach your lungs. Hold it The most important organs needed for deep breathing are your lungs and diaphragm. You need an open chest and diaphragm in order to achieve the optimum stress-reduc- ing deep breath. Yet, we spend long hours hunched over a desk or in a car, or carrying for five seconds and just as small children and a heavy purse—all which contribute to poor posture. The rounded shoulders, tense neck muscles and tight upper back muscles cut off the air supply to you begin to exhale—close the lungs. As a result we take short, shallow breaths, which leads to stress. Visit a professional your eyes… Don’t you You can improve the function of your diaphragm though, by consulting a chiropractor. Chiropractors specialize in the structure and function of the spinal column, which isn’t feel better now? limited to back pain. Working on postural alignment also can alleviate holiday stress. 56 LUXURYOHLIVING 055-057 tFEA TakeADeepBreath.indd 56 11/8/13 9:36 AM
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