Take 5 Minutes To Breathe

Stop and take 5 minutes to breathe. These simple breathing hacks can change your life.

Didn’t learn a new language or write a novel during the lockdown? Don’t worry, it’s not too late to earn your blackbelt in breathing!

Amidst all the other things you’re trying to do and be in this crazy-stressful time, isn’t it great to know you breathe in and out about 20,000 times a day without even really trying? No effort required.

Yet while unconscious, effortless breathing gets the general job of keeping us alive done, taking a few minutes every day to consciously breathe deeper has a host of incredible benefits…

For starters, just a few deep breathes a day can lead to:

• Increased energy levels
• Decreased stress levels
• A slower heartbeat
• Lower or stabilized blood pressure
• Improved immunity, digestion, and posture

Without further ado, let’s get blackbelt breathing!

Step 1.
Sit upright, slowly exhale, get as much oxygen out of your lungs as you can.
As you do so, try to relax all the muscles you can – from your clenched toes, right up to your bunched shoulders and anxious frown.

Step 2.
Inhale four counts slowly and deeply through your nose until your lungs are completely full. Feel the air move into your abdomen and focus only on what you’re doing right now.

Step 3.
Now hold your breath for a slow count to four.

Step 4.
Exhale through your mouth for the same slow count of four. Expel air from your lungs and abdomen. Try to keep this exhalation as consistent as possible (this will get easier the more you practice).

Step 5.
Hold your breath for four counts before repeating this process.

Repeat steps 1 to 5 four more times.

It’s that easy mums… once you tap into the benefits of deep breaths, try to pass on the practice to your little ones. Helping them to master conscious breathing will enable them to regulate their own moods and stress levels too. It’s a win-win!

Why not try it for a few days and let us know if you notice any positive results in the comments below.

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