Another year approaches. 2018. The past decade has gone quickly.
What lessons did I learn during 2017? Taking time out at least twice a day to practise breathing exercises. As soon as I neglected the exercises, my stress levels rose and kept on rising.
The exercises should be simple. Slow and easy breathing moving towards a longer exhale. Breath counting. Pursed lips breathing. Ocean breath. Coherent breathing (equal length inhales and exhales) at five or six breaths per minute.
Ease. Regular practice, five to ten minutes, twice a day. People can choose any of the exercises or combine. There are no rules – although people with medical conditions will need to seek advice on contraindications (usually this applies to breath holding or to more energetic breathing techniques not listed above).
Happy 2018.
