Dr. Carol's new e-course is now live! "4 weeks to youthful, glowing skin" Click here to learn more

Menu
Zawada Health
0
  • Naturopathy
    • Naturopathic Medicine
    • Hormonal Health & Fertility
    • Baby & Me Program
    • Pregnancy & Children's Health
    • Sleep, Stress & Mental Wellness
    • Detoxification & Weight Management
    • Lab Tests & Testing Kits
  • Massage
    • Massage Therapy
    • Prenatal Massage
    • Massage Gifts
  • Skincare
    • AlumierMD Peels
    • Cosmetic Acupuncture
    • eDermastamp Microneedling
    • Skincare Products
    • Youthful Glowing Skin eCourse
    • Youthful Glowing Skin Collection
    • AlumierMD Products
    • Skincare Blog
    • Skincare Gifts
  • AlumierMD
    • AlumierMD Products
    • Alumier MD Skin Peels & Products
  • Shop
    • All Products
    • Skincare Products
    • AlumierMD Products
    • Immune Support
    • Pregnancy Support
    • Herbal Teas
    • Dr. Carol's Cookbook
    • Youthful Glowing Skin Collection
    • Gift Ideas
  • Resources
    • Recipes
    • Blog Posts
    • Videos
  • Book an appointment
    • About Us
    • New Patients
    • Book an Appointment
  • Your Cart is Empty
Zawada Health
Zawada Health
  • Naturopathy
    • Naturopathic Medicine
    • Hormonal Health & Fertility
    • Baby & Me Program
    • Pregnancy & Children's Health
    • Sleep, Stress & Mental Wellness
    • Detoxification & Weight Management
    • Lab Tests & Testing Kits
  • Massage
    • Massage Therapy
    • Prenatal Massage
    • Massage Gifts
  • Skincare
    • AlumierMD Peels
    • Cosmetic Acupuncture
    • eDermastamp Microneedling
    • Skincare Products
    • Youthful Glowing Skin eCourse
    • Youthful Glowing Skin Collection
    • AlumierMD Products
    • Skincare Blog
    • Skincare Gifts
  • AlumierMD
    • AlumierMD Products
    • Alumier MD Skin Peels & Products
  • Shop
    • All Products
    • Skincare Products
    • AlumierMD Products
    • Immune Support
    • Pregnancy Support
    • Herbal Teas
    • Dr. Carol's Cookbook
    • Youthful Glowing Skin Collection
    • Gift Ideas
  • Resources
    • Recipes
    • Blog Posts
    • Videos
  • Book an appointment
    • About Us
    • New Patients
    • Book an Appointment
  • 0 0

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic Breathing

By Olena Jacyla, RMT

Are you breathing right? Take a deep breath and notice what happens to your body. Did your chest expand and shoulders rise? Or was it your belly that was expanding?

If your chest was the first to expand when taking a deep breath, then you are breathing all wrong! You've been breathing since you were born, so you probably think you have it figured out by now, but years of stress, bad posture, and poor habits may have turned you into a chest breather. Chest breathing is not the most efficient way to get oxygen into your body and contributes to neck and should pain, anxiety and overall poor health.
So how did nature intend for you to breathe? Belly breathing, also known as diaphragmatic breathing, uses your primary breathing muscle called the diaphragm (located under your lungs and above your stomach). As you inhale, your belly should expand and push forward, allowing the lungs to fully expand and get the maximum amount of oxygen to energize your body. Getting enough oxygen is crucial to good health so retraining your body to breathe efficiently should be a priority on your health journey.

How can you make belly breathing natural again? Practice! You can train your diaphragm just like any other muscle. It may be difficult at first, since the muscle is weak from disuse, but if you keep up the exercises it will eventually become anunconscious habit again.

Breathing exercise:

Put one hand on your belly. As you inhale, your belly should expand out into your hand. As you exhale, your belly should contract back in. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, then exhale for a count of 8. Repeat 2 more times.

Do this breathing exercise (3 breaths, 4-4-8 count, using your belly) at least 5 times a day.

  • Share:


Also in Sleep, Stress & Mental Wellness

Eucalyptus Steam Inhalation
Eucalyptus Steam Inhalation

For many years eucalyptus essential oil has been used to relieve coughing.
 
Inhaling the vapour made with the essential oil can loosen mucous so that when you do cough, it's expelled. 

Eucalyptus contains a compound called eucalyptol, also known as cineole, which is a compound found in eucalyptus oil.  It has been found to decrease nasal congestion, cough frequency, and cold-related headaches by decreasing inflammation and mucous build-up.

 

Read More

Practical Tips for the Holiday Blues
Practical Tips for the Holiday Blues

The holidays can often bring about an increased pace and with that can come feelings of anxiety and/or depression.

Read More

Hair Loss - You Are Not Alone
Hair Loss - You Are Not Alone

For many women with sudden hair loss, it can be a never-ending search for treatments and products and cover-up sprays, filled with disappointment.

Read More

+All Blogs

  • Hormonal Health & Fertility
  • Pregnancy and Children’s Health
  • Sleep, Stress & Mental Wellness
  • Detoxification & Weight Management
  • Snacks
  • Breakfasts
  • Lunches / Dinners
  • Sides & Salads

+Recipes

  • Snacks
  • Breakfasts
  • Lunches / Dinners
  • Sides & Salads
Follow

4 Robert Speck Parkway, Suite 1500
Mississauga, Ontario, L4Z 1S1

905-804-1752
info@zawadahealth.com

  • Search
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • New Patients & Intake Forms
  • Blog Menu
  • Links and Resources
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refund Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2023 Zawada Health.