Breathe for Weight Loss - Photo Credit - Flickr - Shawn Z Rossi
Some advice is so simple it’s hard to take seriously. Breathing as a healthy weight loss tip? I can already see the rolling eyes. The incredulous smirks. The skeptical looks.
Because breathing is automatic, we tend to take it for granted. We don’t value it’s power the way we should. But deep, slow, focused breathing can change the way you feel, give you an emotional lift, and reduce stress and anxiety – all important aspects of simple healthy weight loss – in minutes!
If you don’t believe me, how about this endorsement from a health and wellness pioneer:
The single most effective relaxation technique I know is conscious regulation of breath. Breath is the key to health and wellness, a function we can learn to regulate and develop in order to improve our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.” – Dr. Andrew Weil
Healthy breathing is slow and deep. But when you’re stressed, your breath becomes quicker and shallower, increasing the amount of stress you experience. So, simply changing the way you breathe will enable you to handle stress better.
I bet you can’t even remember the last time you sat quietly and simply focused on your breath. What could be easier? I encourage you to make it a habit to set aside 5 minutes every day to just breathe – in a focused, mindful way. It’s a healthy habit that will surprise you with its power.
How to Take the Short 5-minute Breather
Try it. It’s simple. Just sit and pay attention to your breathing without trying to change it or control it. Just tune into it. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. You may notice your breathing begin to change as you observe it. It may begin to slow and deepen on it’s own. Or you may feel the need to sigh or yawn. Whatever happens is okay.
Did you notice anything? Did paying attention to your breath change how you feel? Did it change your breathing? How? Do you feel any different? Calmer? Relaxed? Centered?
You can take this simple 5 minute breather anytime you feel stressed or anxious to return your body to a state of calm.
And if you tend to be a speed eater like me, try to take several focused breaths before beginning to eat. It can really help prevent you from gobbling down your lunch or dinner too quickly!
Resources:
Breathing An Introduction - found at Drweil.com
Small Changes, Big Results: A 12-Week Action Plan to a Better Life
Related Posts:
Breathe Away Stress – A more in depth controlled breathing exercise
Relax to Lose Weight – If weight gain is caused by stress we need to learn to relax to lose it
Chew More Weigh Less – How slowing down your eating can help you lose weight easily
Why & How to Eat Slower – Eating slowly is key to simple healthy weight loss.
