Understanding the Mechanics of Intentional Breathing

Take a very deep breath through your nostrils.

Next, gently push out your stomach and notice how you automatically suck air into their lungs. The reason for this is the negative pressure created when you push out their stomach.  The diaphragm drops down creating a negative pressure in the chest, which automatically expands the lungs, sucking in air.

The lungs have five lobes. Often when people take a very deep breath they actually only bring air into the two upper lobes of the lungs.  The reason is that you may be pulling your stomach in rather than letting it push out, creating more space.  The two lower lobes of the lungs have more blood vessels; therefore more oxygen can get into the tissues.

Oxygen is relaxing and healing and allows a major decrease in stress.

The Vegas nerve runs through the diaphragm.  When the diaphragm is hyper stretched it activates the Vegas nerve which stimulates anti-stress hormones.

So by taking a deep breath this way at least once an hour, changes the stress response.

The best way to do this is to breathe in through your nostrils for a count of three, hold the breath three counts and breathe out through your mouth, relaxing your jaw, for six counts and do this hourly to help anchor relaxation, calm and bring peace into your life.