Why you should pay more attention to your breathing

While watching a cycling event on TV recently, I was surprised to see that some of the pro cyclists seemed to have a slight belly. Pro tour cyclists are typically so lean! But then I realized—they were belly breathing (also known as diaphragmatic breathing), which involves breathing deeply into the abdomen, rather than just the chest. This form of breathing is actually much more effective for everyone and is quite different from the shallow breathing that most adults habitually fall into.

Breathing is an automatic function that happens without conscious effort—it’s a basic part of life and essential to survival. By this point in life, you probably assume you’re a pro at breathing, so it’s easy to take it for granted. But developing a daily breathing practice can unlock a wide range of health benefits and positively impact athletic performance.

Benefits of a Regular Breathing Practice

You can call it breathwork, mindful breathing, or intentional breathing. No matter what you call it, it’s about bringing awareness to the way you inhale and exhale. There are various patterns and techniques you can explore, each helping to:

• Lower blood pressure and heart rate — great for situations like heavy traffic
• Reduce stress hormone levels in the blood — useful before important meetings or presentations
• Minimize lactic acid buildup in muscles — try focusing on your breath during intense exercise
• Balance oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood — spend five minutes on breathwork after a workout or event
• Improve immune function
• Boost physical energy

Once you get the hang of mindful breathing, you can use it throughout your day. But first, it’s essential to establish the habit, which is why I’m sharing this guide from Precision Nutrition: Breathwork: Breathing on Purpose​

How do you work out your weekly training hours? Feel to share your thoughts on my Facebook page.

I really appreciate you being part of my tribe and I look forward to helping you achieve better health and better performance. Simon

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