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GQ

Deep-breathing exercises for a clear mind

Fill your lungs and empty your mind – deep-breathing techniques will help you keep a clear head

Nobody wants to be told they’re not doing the essentials correctly, but I think it’s time we talked about the fact you’re not breathing right. Well, OK, you’re alive so you’ve got the bare essentials down. But how about the ways you can breathe to make the more extreme moments more bearable?

The way you breathe when exerting yourself or when things get stressful can have a huge impact on how you deal with these particularly difficult states: ask anyone who’s ever been bad at breathing during a workout. Actually, you don’t even need to ask them, because we spoke to the experts in breathing about how exactly you can change the way you face a crunch time via inhalation and exhalation.

Alan Dolan, BreathGuru

“Our brand of Conscious Connected Breathing aims to open up the full capacity of the lungs (on average we use about 25 per cent) in order to release excess emotional baggage, increase oxygen to starved tissue and recharge energy levels.

“Not only is our breathing technique an effective and healthy way to protect ourselves from the ravages of stress and anxiety, it also provides an immediate remedy for dealing with symptoms as they occur.

“The beauty of our technique is that you can do it yourself at home:

1. Lie on your back on the floor in a quiet spot where you wont be disturbed. Place a pillow under your head and shoulders.

2. Begin to breathe through your mouth. Your mouth should be open wide enough so that you can get your index and middle finger in between your upper and lower teeth.

3. Breathe deeply into your abdomen, just below your navel. Imagine you are inflating a balloon in your stomach with each inhale.

4. Without pausing, release your breath in a short, soft sigh, like fogging a mirror.

5. Again, without pausing, take a deep inhale through your mouth and continue the steps.

6. The key is to keep the breath flowing so that each inhale and exhale is connected, continuously moving.”

  1. See the article at gq-magazine.co.uk