The simple trick to feeling great as you age
As we age, we gain many advantages over our younger selves. We have the benefit of hindsight and more rounded perspective of life and its challenges. We don’t sweat the small stuff, and we’ve learnt to focus on what’s crucial. For many, nearing 50 can be a life changing experience. Some woman may start to notice significant changes, especially in your body. Weight gain, dry skin, aches and pains – you begin to learn that to maintain your body you need to work on it!
Exercise, healthy diet, proper sleep – these are all things that can help keep your body strong and healthy. But there is another vital element to looking and feeling great that is often overlooked. A simple ‘trick’ that when practised in a mindful way can bring a multitude of benefits.
Breathing
Yes. The simple act of mindful breathing can declutter your mind and detox your body from the ‘poisons’ that make you unwell. Conscious breathing reduces stress and delivers life-giving oxygen to all the cells of our body. [1] Shallow breathing can cause fatigue and tension, but by practising mindful breathing techniques we are rewarded with many anti-aging benefits. Including[2]
Relieving tension and releasing toxins
Improving posture and the nervous system
Increasing digestion efficiency
Helping to lower blood pressure
Boosting energy levels
Improving stamina, moo and cellular regeneration
Strengthening immune system, heart and lungs
Assisting in weight control.
So how do we use deep breathing correctly for improved health and wellbeing?
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing is one of the most natural ways of breathing. If you observe a newborn baby, you will see how they use their diaphragm with each breath. [1] By normalising your breath you reduce anxiety and deactivate the toxic chemicals that are released into your body when you’re stressed.
How To do this:
Find a comfortable seated position. Lengthen your spine and relax your shoulders.
Move your hands to the sides of the body around the rib cage. Take a deep breath into the sides and back of the body. Focus on directing your breath to the back of your body and the sides of your ribcage. Feel your ribs push outward as you inhale.
On the exhale, your ribs will contract, and the hands will draw back towards each other. Repeat this breathing pattern several times until you feel the ribs expanding and contracting.
The goal of Diaphragmatic Breathing is to oxygenate the blood, increase circulation and experience the restorative properties that a full, deep breath delivers.[2]
For breath is life, and if you breathe well, you will live long on the earth.
- Sanskrit Proverb
For more advice on how you can reverse the ageing process and feel younger, fitter and more vibrant contact us to discuss how we can design an exercise regime to accommodate your unique needs
[1] http://pe2000.com/breathing/breathe_diaphragm/
[2] https://www.verywell.com/learn-lateral-breathing-2704659/