During a normal day we breathe around 16,000 to 20,000 times! Surprisingly, we are not even aware of this. But this is the first function to become erratic when we are under stress. Our breathing become shallower and the rate accelerate.

There are two types of breathing mainly:

 

1. Chest type of breathing: This is the type of heaving breathing seen when we run or climb stairs or when we are stressed out.

    

    

2. Abdominal Breathing: This is the real relaxed breathing which we should practice when under stress- take a deep breath in, say 'in' and feel your abdomen puffing out slowly. Slowly but gradually let out the air saying 'out' and feel you abdomen pressing on the diaphragm to let out the air.

    

Our brain controls our breathing by checking the ratio between the oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. We exhale when the carbon dioxide make our blood acidic. Hyperventilation or fast breathing makes our blood alkaline making us feel dizzy and disoriented. Habitual hyperventilation as in hysterical women cause fainting, numbness, palpitations, sweating and chest aches.

When stress hits it is important to maintain easy breathing.regular controlled breathing exercises are a very good way of getting our whole body to relax and wash out stress and muscular aches.

Bad posture can also effect the flow of air in and out of the body. So if you are using a cramped up posture, try correcting it consciously.

Becoming aware of your breathing does not mean that you have to always control the type of breathing-this in turn could build up tension! So lie or sit back and take a deep breath and let go slowly-the rest your body will do!

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