How long does the average man last?

Humans can go days without water. 

And weeks without food.

But stop breathing for a few minutes and see where it gets you!

Breathing is completely natural, but we rarely consider how we’re doing it.

Everybody thinks they’re breathing ok.

However, just because you can breathe doesn't mean you’re doing it right.

Ancient practices like yoga recognised the value of deep breathing and holding one's breath to boost one's energy and vitality.

Anyone who has practiced meditation will attest to how peaceful it is when you pay attention to your breath.

There is plenty of scientific evidence to support the relationship between breathing and emotions.

Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nerve system, which helps to relax the body. Additionally, it aids in lowering anxiety, terror, and panic attacks.

Your breathing quickens and gets shallower when you're anxious, stressed out, or in pain.

The sympathetic nervous system, sometimes known as the "fight or flight" reaction, is activated by shallow breathing and gets you ready to deal with an impending threat.

For our ancestors, who had to avoid sabre-tooth tigers and woolly mammoths, this flight or fight reaction made sense.

Today, though, money, job, and family are often our most existential dangers.

In addition, stress negatively affects your digestive system. Your parasympathetic nervous system, commonly referred to as the "rest and digest" response, is activated when you eat while relaxed. This reaction relaxes and soothes the body, improving digestion and food absorption.

When eating quickly and under stress, as we do in Western nations, triggers the sympathetic nervous system, sometimes known as the "fight or flight reaction."

This "fight or flight" response raises your heart rate and suppresses your digestive system, which prevents you from properly digesting your meal.

So…

What's the quickest way to unwind and become mindful of your emotions, especially when you're eating?

Pay attention to your breathing. Want to feel less tense and anxious?

Teach yourself to breathe. Instead of taking short breaths from your chest, try to breathe deeply and through your diaphragm.

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Steps to take

In this thread I covered a few breathing techniques to start with to get aware of your breathing and learning to use it to manage your stress.

There are levels beyond these using techniques such as Buteyko & Wim Hof breathing to increase your energy & resilience. 

But that’s a topic for another time…

To your best heath,

Dr Kpakpo

P.S.

If you’d like to work with me using techniques such as these to improve your healthspan, decrease stress & increase energy, fill out this quick form & we can see if we’re a good fit to work together.