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	<title>Plain Talk About Health &#187; Health Tips</title>
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		<title>Take Your Stress Down a Notch with Simple Breathing Techniques</title>
		<link>http://www.plain-talk-health-guides.com/blog/2006/03/take-your-stress-down-a-notch-with-simple-breathing-techniques/</link>
		<comments>http://www.plain-talk-health-guides.com/blog/2006/03/take-your-stress-down-a-notch-with-simple-breathing-techniques/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Mar 2006 09:20:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ARTICLES: General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Tips]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Stress is one of the greatest threats to our health. So, it&#8217;s important to learn how to manage it effectively. When our bodies perceive stress, they begin to produce stress hormones, increase our respiration levels, blood pressure and heart rate. This is called the fight-or-flight response. One way to respond to that stress and alleviate [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[	<p>Stress is one of the greatest threats to our health. So, it&#8217;s important to learn how to manage it effectively. When our bodies perceive stress, they begin to produce stress hormones, increase our respiration levels, blood pressure and heart rate. This is called the fight-or-flight response.</p>

	<p>One way to respond to that stress and alleviate the body&#8217;s response to it is to use proper breathing techniques. Good breathing is a must for the detoxifying of our body and the continuation of life. The intake of oxygen is so important for many of our bodily functions. When it enters our system, is cleanses our blood by getting rid of toxic things floating in our bodies.</p>

	<p>Improper or irregular breaths hurt this perfect ability of our bodies to clean and force this trash to continue floating. This can cause a number of other problems including improper digestion. It will eventually lead to exhaustion and anxiety issues within the body. It can lead to overall poor health and a lack of coping ability with other situations.</p>

	<p>Monitoring a regular breathing pattern helps to fight the evil effects of stress on the body. Before you can learn some stress reduction breathing techniques, though, you must learn proper basic breathing. You can start by lying down wherever you&#8217;re comfortable, the floor, a bed, or a couch. Be sure your legs are a little away from each other, your toes flow out from your body, your arms aren&#8217;t in contact with the other surfaces of your body, your eyes are closed, and your palms face above.</p>

	<p>Try not to breathe through your mouth, as nose breathing is better for the detoxification process. When you inhale, your lungs and your body&#8217;s midsection should move as one. As you breathe out, it should feel as if your stomach is releasing the air you&#8217;ve just consumed. Learning this can lead to proper practice of five simple breathing techniques for stress relief.</p>

	<p>The first breathing technique that will help to eliminate stress is deep, relaxed breathing. Although the exercise itself can be practiced in any posture, it is best if you begin by lying down in your relaxed breathing position.</p>

	<p>Try placing your knees at an angle and ensure your feet are a hand&#8217;s width apart, your toes are turned away from each other, and your back is as straight as possible. Then put one of your hands on your midsection and one on your chest cavity. Breathe deeply through your nose into your stomach area to move your hand up as much as you are able.</p>

	<p>The hand on your chest should just barely move, and it should only move when the hand on your midsection does. You should keep going with this process until it becomes as natural as possible. The next step is to offer a smile as you take air in through your nose out through your mouth. The exhale portion of this breath should make a gentle noise, as the wind might make in the trees on a summer day.</p>

	<p>Listen and feel. When you first start this exercise, do it for five minutes. Try to work your way up to twenty minutes. Once you&#8217;ve finished, spend a few minutes without moving to allow your body to simply exist for a few moments.</p>

	<p>Another quick breathing technique for stress reduction is a cleansing sigh. Begin this processes by sitting or standing with appropriate posture. Let out a gentle noise as you inhale deeply and sigh as much as your body will allow. The next inhale should be completely natural. This exercise can be repeated five to fifteen times.</p>
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