Did you know that your body has a natural relaxation response? Rather than zone out on music or television, there are things you can do in order to reduce stress in your life.

Deep breathing exercises are just one way to invoke your natural relaxation response.

By doing deep breathing exercises, you can change the way your body responds to stress.

In short, your body can use deep breathing to allow the following body functions to happen:

• You can increase the level of NO (nitric oxide) in your cells. This helps dilate blood vessels
• You can lower your blood pressure
• You can slow your breathing down with deep and meaningful breaths
• You can lower your heart rate so you can feel calmer
• You can slow down your metabolism so that it is more relaxed and efficient

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Stress is a normal part of life. Practically everyone has had some sort of stressor in their life, including relationship stressors, job stressors, and financial stressors. While we can, “white knuckle it” through life’s stressors, it may be easier to practice relaxation exercises so that the perception of stress is less.

Relaxation exercises promote relaxation that has positive effects on the mind and body. Some ways that relaxation can benefit your physical health include the following:

1 – Relaxation is protective for your heart. Relaxation naturally decreases your heart rate, blood pressure, and the stress on the heart. Excesses of stress can do the opposite. Continue reading →