Take a deep breath.
Metaphorically, it means pause for a moment, take a break, calm down, collect yourself and take a second to reconsider your next action (or reaction).
But it's good -- or even better -- to take it literally.
Deep breathing is good for your physical and mental health. It decreases stress, decreases the heart rate and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide and stress-related chemicals in the bloodstream, according to Benjamin A. Sigel, assistant professor in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' department of psychiatry and a clinician at the UAMS Child Study Center.
Moreover, deep breathing relaxes the mind and body and can help you sleep better and increase your energy level. Other side benefits can include pain relief and even weight loss.
As is the case with most animals, the human body is hard-wired, since the days when people lived in jungles and on veldts, with a quick response to a snarling predator, a matter of life or death.
This is the "fight-freeze-flight" response. It creates anxiety and insecurity; the heart rate skyrockets, breathing becomes fast and shallow and the body releases stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream so we're instantly ready for action.
[For more of this story, written by Eric E Harrison, go to http://www.arkansasonline.com/...20150831/?f=features]
Comments (0)