Happiness Principle #3:
Conscious Breathing
We often take our breathing for granted, not noticing that during stress our breath becomes jagged, erratic, and shallow. We may find ourselves breathing too fast without realizing it. When we are upset and emotionally stressed, we tend to tense and tighten our muscles, which results in constricted blood flow, elevated heartbeat, and stimulated stress hormone production. Stress and habitual shallow breathing lowers vitality, reduces our ability to make decisions from our center, and can lead to a negative frame of mind.
Conscious breathing provides a way to break this pattern and help the mind and body return to a more relaxed state of equilibrium. Learning to achieve a relaxed state is important when you’re talking with people, having a job interview, taking a test, giving a presentation, dealing with your children, etc. In addition, being able to relax is a primary coping skill necessary for overcoming binge, compulsive, or addictive eating. If you’re not relaxed, everything you do will be a struggle. Altering your breathing instantly alters your state!
When stressed, stop and breathe. Nothing gets better with frustration, stress, anxiety, or fear in the lead. Sometimes we like the feeling of stress, because it makes us feel more alive or needed. Sometimes we stress because inside ourselves we truly believe that we lack the inner or outer resources to manage our life situation. No matter what the reason, stress is a choice that eats away at our self-confidence and robs us of happiness.
One of the best and most practical tools for distressing is learning how to breathe consciously. Slow, conscious, deep breathing gets you back to center, where you can listen to your inner wisdom about how best to proceed. Breathing may seem like a solution that is way too simple to help relieve stress or worry, but it’s one of the best tools around. Take note of your breathing, and be conscious of how your breath becomes shallow when you are under stress. Then stop, and take a few slow, deep, life-affirming breaths… you’ll be glad you did!
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