As human beings, we tend to take our breathing for granted. It’s only when we encounter a health crisis that we take notice of this profound, yet basic ability. Every system in our body depends on oxygen, which is needed for digestion and cognition function. Effective breathing can transform your life in all kinds of ways.

Whether you already know about deep breathing exercises, or want to find out more, here are five ways your health will benefit from proper breathing.

Relieves Stress and Anxiety

Deep breathing exercises are one of the best strategies for lowering stress and anxiety. Many of us are feeling more tense than ever before due to the coronavirus pandemic. So, if you’re struggling to keep on top of things, relaxing your body and mind is key to good health. If you suffer from anxiety, you may feel breathless which can bring on panic attacks and make your heart beat faster. High stress levels can increase your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, learning to breathe properly will reduce tension, clear your mindset, and help you live a better quality of life.

Improves Sleep Quality

A good night’s sleep is imperative for your overall health and wellbeing. If you aren’t breathing correctly, this can have an effect on how much sleep you get. For those who wake up feeling sluggish and groggy, trying deep breathing techniques can help you get a more restorative sleep. If you’re prone to snoring, you may wake up with fatigue and an irritated throat, which can impact your day going forward. So, trying Somnifix strips can help to promote nose breathing and reduce snoring. Proper breathing will ensure you sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy for the day ahead.

Digest Food Better

Digestion is critical for your body as it needs nutrients from the foods and drinks you consume to work correctly and stay healthy. If you breathe through your chest, there will be less oxygen that enters your blood, which can hurt digestion and create tense muscles. High-stress levels can create the ‘fight or flight’ response which can interfere with digestion and weaken your immune system. To improve digestion, deep breathing can help relax your abdominal area and improve brain function once you’ve eaten.

Boosts Your Immune System

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how important our breathing is and how crucial preventive medicine and immunity are. Your immune system plays a key role in protecting your body from harmful germs and substances that can make you ill. To reduce your risk of getting the coronavirus, boosting your immune system is key. High-stress levels can change how you breathe and put your immune system at risk. So, practicing mindful breathing alongside regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and keeping hydrated will help keep your immune system in check.

Lower Blood Pressure

Slow breathing techniques can help decrease stress levels and lower your blood pressure. Breathing exercises are a good way to encourage blood pressure receptors and keep your stress levels at bay. High blood pressure can increase your risk of having a heart attack and a stroke. So, if you are worried about your blood pressure, techniques like belly breathing and pursed lip breathing may help.

There are numerous practices and techniques that concentrate on your breathing, which helps to improve your mental and physical wellbeing. While we make lifestyle alterations like changing our diets and incorporating exercise into our routine to improve our quality of life, changing the way you breathe can provide tons of health benefits too.