Rest & Digest

There are so many breathing techniques out there but the one I go to more than any is belly breathing. Why???

Better sleep.

Reduced anxiety.

Improved digestion.

General feeling of peace.

When we breathe into our belly and let it expand, filling with air, we are creating a calming effect in our body. By breathing Into our belly, we are tapping into the rest and digest function which is the parasympathetic side of our nervous system.

You often hear that the stomach is a place where we store stress. This is why gut health and eating fermented food has become so important, to improve the functioning of this area.

Breathing into the belly allows us to lower our heart rate and move towards a more relaxed state. This helps us to reduce stress and anxiety levels. It also massages the vagus nerve which is used to aid digestion.

The best thing about belly breathing - it’s PORTABLE - you can do it wherever you are. As long as you have an empty stomach (serious caution here), you just need a few minutes to stand or sit with a straight back.

Use the diaphragm to pull the breath slowly into the belly. Let the belly expand as it fills with air. Slight pause, followed by a slow exhalation. As you exhale, feel the belly contacting as you slowly release the air. Embrace the feeling of calm & peace…