08/08/2019
The Issue with Shallow Breathing
As adults, we tend to breathe primarily through our chest, which means shallow breathing. Subconsciously, our unhealthy pattern of initiating the breath from the chest has become habitual.
When you fall into a pattern of isolated upper-chest breathing, you tend to overuse muscles in the neck and upper body (known as the accessory muscles) and underuse the diaphragm.
When you're doing heavy exercise or are in stressful situations, you need these accessory muscles. They kick in to supplement the diaphragm's action by moving the rib cage up and down more vigorously, helping to bring more air to the lungs. So that you can react and adapt as quickly to the real or perceived threat.
But unlike the diaphragm, which is designed to work indefinitely, the accessory muscles tire more easily, and overusing them will eventually leave you feeling fatigued and anxious.
All of this makes upper-chest breathing exhausting, rather than restorative, in everyday situations.
Breathe Like a Baby
We talked about belly breathing or diaphragmatic breathing in our session yesterday and how it's actually the way we’re supposed to breathe.
But have you ever watched a baby breathe? They breathe with their whole body, the way we’re supposed to, and they don’t worry about their muffin tops or anything. THAT’s how you should try breathing today!
This Week's Practice
Try to consciously breathe into your belly at least once during your days this week. You can start simple...when the phone rings - before you pick up that call - place your hand on your belly and take a breath. Feel your belly and diaphragm expand and exhale to let it go. Now pick up your phone call.
(This will only take a few seconds to do and they'll probably call you back or leave a message if it was really important!)
Let us know how you went, how you felt or if you came across any challenges. We'd love to hear!
