You’re Already Doing It. 😗💨💨

BY JEN WIDERSTROM



I’ve got a trick up my sleeve that’ll reset you in the moment but also bring longevity to your life….. breathing. 

Believe it or not, oxygen is something that the majority of us are malnourished in. I know this seems counterintuitive but as we all age we tend to migrate toward vertical breathing (using only the small space at top of our lungs) vs the more optimal belly breathing, (think the big rise and gentle fall of baby bellies and even your pets!). In this belly breath, your diaphragm plays an important role in allowing more O2 in and has the strength to push the CO2 out creating more available space for fresh oxygen.

With more oxygen we have more energy, better sleep, higher metabolisms and even our hormones are more balanced.

Here are ways to help you harness your breath:

  1. While sitting upright in a chair gently fill your hands with your expanding belly, while keeping your shoulders down, then exhale with control in the way you would blow out your birthday candles. Not only will this help you groove a new breathing pattern, but you will strengthen your diaphragm doing so.



  2. Be more mindful while speaking on the phone of how you’re using your air. Slow down your speech allowing breath to come and go more naturally vs “pushing” your words in order to create more volume or even greater pace. And trust me, if the person cares about what you have to say, they won’t rush you or talk over you. 


Take one day, even one conversation at a time and belly breathing will become just as second nature to you as walking— you just need to give your body a little time to remember.

To support you in this, I’d like to point you to a highly qualified and quality book on how easy it is to facilitate better breathing. It is aptly called BREATHE and authored by my dear friend and expert in the field (that ALLLL the other experts go to for direction), Dr. Belisa Vranich. ESPECIALLY if you or a family member has had COVID, I cannot urge you enough to get effective support like this on your path to healing.

Jen Widerstrom, Founder

P.S. Remember that no matter what you're going through right now, you don't have to do it alone! There are others like you in our community, where we interact on a daily basis, fight our demons, share our victories, and watch over each other as friends and accountability partners.

Together we are FÖRENA - a health & fitness community for women like you where we focus not only on our physical health but also mind, soul, relationships, and overall well-being. Become one of us now with FREE 1-month membership, and let us witness your growth! 🌱

 

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BRAIN FOODJen Widerstrom