Breathee - Breathing exercises

Proper breathing helps to put the human brain into relaxation mode. Certain techniques work on the body in the same way as medication, and also help to reduce excess weight and get rid of unhealthy habits.

BREATHING EXERCISES CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT AND QUIT SMOKING

When doing breathing exercises, exhaling is important. According to Thomas Lowe, head of the Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Regensburg, only on exhalation can oxygen work in every cell. During periods of rest, on exhalation, cells regenerate.

A human breathes on average 10-12 times a minute. Breathing exercises should slow breathing down to six times a minute, which corresponds to breathing rhythm during sleep. An effective technique is '4-6-10', which requires breathing in for four seconds and breathing out for six seconds. The exercise should be performed for ten minutes.

Such a rhythm of breathing has a positive effect on the brain, heart, digestive system, and also reduces blood pressure, reduces irritation and aggression. It also helps to lose weight by reducing food cravings and quitting smoking. Before opening the refrigerator door, Lowe recommends taking a few minutes to breathe slowly and then think about whether you really want to eat something now. The same goes for cigarettes.

When you feel a strong desire to smoke, go out into the fresh air. Stand up straight. Relax. Take a deep breath and hold your breath for 2-5 seconds. Then exhale slowly. At the end of the exhalation, hold your breath for the same amount of time. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Your brain will be oxygenated and you will feel slightly dizzy. The urge to smoke will disappear for a long time.

Breathe in slowly through your nose and breathe out a little faster through your mouth. Increase the tempo slowly as you do this exercise. In one cycle take 30 breaths in and out. After each cycle, rest for about 1 minute. To get good results, you need to repeat 5-6 cycles. Do the exercise every time you feel like smoking.

Stand or sit up straight. Relax. As you inhale, first fill the lower part of the lungs with air, pushing the belly forward. Your chest will rise from the bottom to the top. A "wave" runs down your torso. The spine should be kept straight to make it natural.

Then, as you exhale, the 'wave' goes in the opposite direction: first the stomach drops down and retracts inwards slightly, then the ribcage. Try it a few times at the starting position: for 4 counts slow deep breath in through the nose, for 4 counts 1 slow deep exhalation through the nose, again for 4 counts - inhale and for 4 counts - exhale...

The benefits of this kind of breathing have been proven over thousands of years of practice. The lungs get the right amount of oxygen, the chest is properly innervated by nerve endings and the abdominal organs receive a gentle, systematic massage thanks to the strong and rhythmic movements of the diaphragm.

Do this exercise every time you feel like taking a smoke break. This way you will not only get rid of this bad habit, but you will also train your respiratory organs and clean your lungs.