Breathe your stress away

Recently I sent out this Facebook and BB notice: "If you are feeling tired, stressed and overwhelmed, then come to my 5:30 p.m. yoga class". The class was packed, making me realise how much we are affected by stress. Stress has become a national epidemic. So what can we do about it?

Just breathe stress away!

The breath is a tool that we all have, but it is often overlooked. This breath does not cost anything, requires no complicated instruction and can be accessed any time, anywhere. It is one of the most effective techniques for combating stress and is a key factor in well-being.

It is so amazing to me that the first thing that we do at birth is inhale and the last thing we do at death is exhale. Yet, in-between birth and death, most of us are unaware of its power. Focused, purposeful breathing, done in and out of the nose, not the mouth, can help to relax the body, clear the mind and bring deep peace to the soul.

It sounds simplistic, doesn't it? But the actual science behind the breath will help you to understand the importance of slow, deep, even breathing. When our breath is shallow, the air is only getting to the upper lobes of the lungs. This is where most of the lungs' stress receptors and connections to the sympathetic nervous systems - the fight or flight response - are located.

Breathing through your nose delivers the air deeper into the lower lobes of the lungs. Breathing into the lower lobes of the lungs is preferred because that is where 60 to 80 per cent of the lungs' blood supply awaits to receive oxygen delivery and gas exchange. Nasal breathing connects our breath to the lower lobes of the lungs, thereby calming our minds.

So the next time you are feeling stressed, instead of yelling at your co-worker or your child, reaching for that drink or sugary sweet, try this simple technique:

Lie on your back, relax your neck, shoulders and lower back. Find your breath. Take 20 deep breaths, drawing the breath in and out of the nose and down into the lower lobes of the lungs. You will find in just a few moments, a huge shift in your stress levels. It is that simple. Breathe, relax and let go!

Sharon McConnell-Feanny is a certified yoga instructor and co-owner of Shakti Mind Body Fitness. She has more than 25 years experience in health and fitness; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.