12/19/2021
Day 19 of 24 days of Wellness Challenge!
Happy Sunday! Today we slow down and take the time to appreciate our amazing bodies. Today’s workout is a yoga inspired flow that will help you relax and work on your flexibility. Check out the post above for the exercise circuit and see my stories to see how to perform the exercises.
Today’s Healthy Habit: Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The way you breathe affects your whole body. Breathing exercises are a good way to relax, reduce tension, and relieve stress. You can start with this simple breathing exercise: Box Breathing. Box breathing can reduce stress and improve your mood. The slow holding of breath allows CO2 to build up in the blood. An increased blood CO2 enhances the cardio-inhibitory response of the vagus nerve when you exhale and stimulates your parasympathetic system. This produces a calm and relaxed feeling in the mind and body.
Follow these steps:
1. Keeping your hands relaxed in your lap with your palms facing up, focus on your posture. You should be sitting up straight. This will help you take deep breaths.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose to the count of 4 (count very slowly in your head).Feel the air fill your lungs, one section at a time, until your lungs are completely full and the air moves into your abdomen.
2. Hold your breath for another slow count of four.
3. Exhale through your mouth for the same slow count of four, expelling the air from your lungs and abdomen.
4.Hold your breath for the same slow count of four before repeating this process.
Try box breathing and comment below on how you feel.
December 19th daily challenge - check out the post above for the daily workout and details about the daily challenge. DM me if you have any questions.
