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Breathe Deeply 
​by Karla Beatty
10 Health Benefits of Belly Breathing

Diagram of the lungs and diaphragm, nose and mouth


A living, breathing organism: you’ve heard that phrase before. To breathe is almost the definition of life. Breathe slow and deep, breathe deliberately and consciously. Breathing deeply is best done by using the diaphragm muscles instead of breathing only through the chest. This “belly breathing” gives you positive effects throughout the body. Here are some of the health benefits you may gain when you practice breathing correctly.

10. Calm the Nerves
The way that you breathe has a direct connection to your emotions. For instance, when you are angry or anxious, you might take quick, shallow breaths. Slowing and deepening the breaths can bring a better sense of calm and well-being.
9. Relax Muscular Tension
Deep, slow breathing allows more oxygen to make its way to the muscles. This allows a greater sense of relaxation, especially when used in meditation or guided relaxation exercises.
8. Reduce Pain
Breathing slowly and deliberately takes your focus away from the pain and may help you to feel more comfortable.
7. Reduce Stress
Breathing practice, going slow and deep, allows the body to release any built up stress or tension. The more you practice, the more you will feel calm, comfortable, and confident.
6. Improve Blood Circulation
Belly breathing, from the diaphragm, provides the best oxygen input for your blood. In chest breathing, only the top of the lungs are used as. In belly breathing, you expand the lower lobes of the lung where a greater amount of blood flows.
5. Lower Blood Pressure
Diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing) helps you get more fresh air into your lungs and thus more stale air, or carbon dioxide, out of your lungs. This increased air helps to dilate the small blood vessels. This helps to lower the blood pressure.
4. Decrease Heart Rate
Deep breathing helps you to get enough oxygen into your body so that internal organs function more efficiently. Blood circulation increases, blood pressure reduces, and this has positive effects on your heart rate.
3. Promote Clearer Thinking
Slow, deliberate, relaxed breathing helps you to stay more alert and have clearer thinking.
2. Increase Energy Levels
Instead of reaching for the coffee pot, try a period of correct breathing to help boost your energy. The increase blood flow and oxygen can tweak your alertness and allow you to feel invigorated.
1. Clear the Lungs
With regular practice of belly breathing, your diaphragm muscles gain strength. This stronger diaphragm allows for a more forceful cough and helps to remove excess mucus.
Breathing is automatic—you don't have to think about it to keep it going. But most often, it takes a conscious effort to breathe deeply. However, you can easily practice it—every day—as often as you think of it. The more you practice the easier and more automatic it becomes and the greater health benefits you will achieve.

Want to learn how to “belly breathe?”  Read about it in this article How to Breathe 10 Simple Steps to Breathing Better.

Read many more informative and interesting articles about health in Well-Being.

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