How can proper breathing help manage stress?

Breathing is a vital process of the body. When the body is under stress, a person's breathing might be short and shallow which can cause tense muscles and headaches. Many experts recommend breathing exercises to relieve physical and mental stress. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. shares some tips on how deep and proper breathing can help with stress management.

When the body is under stress, the brain releases cortisol. When this hormone is starts to function, it communicates to the body that it needs to respond quick. An increased cortisol level may lead to a faster heart rate, high blood pressure, and slower immune response. When a person takes a deep breath, increased oxygenation communicates to the body that it doesn't need to be on alert mode. It also releases endorphins also known as one of the brain's "feel good" chemicals. Those who are under stress might feel tired easily. When the body is calm and there is more oxygen in the bloodstream, one might feel more energized.

According to Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., diaphragmatic breathing not only increases oxygenation, it also releases tension in the muscles. This leads to lower blood pressure as the heart rate slows down and the blood vessels widen. Those who are under stress are prone to hypertension. Doing breathing exercises will help their overall circulation. Aside from regulating the blood pressure, proper breathing releases carbon dioxide and allows the body to absorb nutrients properly.

It’s important to train the body to breathe deeply not just when under stress. Conditioning the body to inhale and exhale fully is a good exercise that will help a person release tension naturally.

Lisa M. Cannon, M.D. is a

board-certified pulmonary disease and critical care physician with a private practice in Bergen County, New Jersey. For more reads on health and medicine, visit this