How Mindful Breathing Reduces Your Stress

With constant pressure, both internal and external to do more, achieve, excel and be the best we can be, we can miss what life has to offer. We tend to focus on the past or worry or plan for the future, but we often forget about the present. Time whizzes by us while we are busy being busy. The result? Stress, anxiety and a depreciation of life that can lead to depression, overeating, addictions and other mental or physical problems.

Practicing the concept of minduflness- being consciously aware of what is going on inside and around us, can allow for more peace and appreciation of life’s gifts. Stress levels decrease and a more positive sense of well being and calmness results. Now who doesn’t want that?

Everyone is capable of becoming more mindful! With conscious and consistent practice, it can help with personal growth and insight, understanding, compassion and enlightenment. Mindfulness can become is a way of life, a continuous goal. Worry plagues all of us, but it is never solved a single problem! It only adds stress when what we need is strength. By being mindful and allowing yourself to be present in the moment you dismiss the fears and worry that cloud your thinking. You simply exist in the moment and embrace what it encompasses.

Mindful breathing can offer the clarity and insight that empowers you in a stressful situation. When we experience stress, anxiety causes our hearts to beat more rapidly, our thoughts race and we can feel as if we are losing control. These are natural, involuntary reactions. Paying attention to this feeling and controlling our breathing calms these reactions and give us the strength and confidence needed to get through the struggle.

We tend to want to hang onto percieved control most in times of high stress, but this is when we actually need to let go and allow the peaceful feelings to emerge. Mindful breathing can be done at any time and the results benefit our mental and physical health. Next time you feel stressed out, stop and breathe deeply and slowly, modify your thoughts to allow your mind and body to calm. You may need to excuse yourself and take a time out in order to bring your body and minddown. It may take a few minutes, but this precious time can keep you calm for hours! The more peaceful baseline after mindful breathing will help you focus and attend to the stressful circumstance better because you will have a more real and present peace of mind.