The Power of Deep Breathing—Nov. 24

SAGe (Self-Actualized Genius)—Learn More

November 24, 2024

Sunday SAGe Newsletter Volume 10: The Power of Deep Breathing

Happy Sunday!

Here is this week’s installment of Sunday SAGe, an email communication that shares wellness inspiration from The Wellness Ethic to help people thrive during the coming week (and beyond!).

This week’s focus is on the power of deep breathing. Developing a deep breathing habit is one of the simplest and most beneficial things you can do for your mind, body, and spirit. And it’s free!

The Power of Deep Breathing

An excerpt from The Wellness Ethic:

When you face difficulty, your SAGe (Self-Actualized Genius—your best self) is eager to tame your emotions. An effective way to calm your mind and summon your SAGe is to utilize the SAGe Deep Breathing Technique. Here’s the approach:

• Find a comfortable and quiet place, private if necessary.

• Close your eyes, place a hand on your belly, and slowly inhale through your nose—and deeply into your diaphragm—while silently repeating the words, “I am activating my SAGe.” Feel your hand rise as your lungs fill to their maximum capacity.

• Slowly exhale and feel serenity spread throughout your body.

• Repeat the process until stress is reduced and negative emotions have abated. That will usually be the case after five to ten deep breaths. But take as long as required—getting to a peaceful state is worth it.

What It Means

It may seem like deep breathing is too simple to make a difference, but its efficacy is supported by scientific research and how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) functions. In stressful times, your sympathetic nervous system—the branch of the ANS that prepares your body to react rapidly to threats (fight or flight)—becomes dominant. As a result, your heart rate, stress hormone levels, breathing rate, and anxiety levels rise, which can impair your logical reasoning ability.

Deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system—the branch of the ANS that promotes relaxation—and suppresses your sympathetic nervous system. Once you’re in a calmer, less reactive mindset, you are happier. You make better decisions. You develop a positive perspective and feel more connected to the universe.

Deep breathing is all upside to your wellness! Did I mention that it’s free?

Your Call to Action

Try it out and mindfully connect with how deep breathing makes you feel. Do you want more of that? Schedule it into your day. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you. Have it be a part of your morning, afternoon, and evening routines. Deep breathing can be integral to your daily wellness maintenance approach. It can also be used in the moment whenever you feel stress. It truly is a transformative wellness practice.

Have a peaceful week!