Today we are blessed with a full moon which makes it is a great time to release something that has been holding you back. Tonight take a few moments for yourself to release what no longer serves you and t o draw in new energy.

Most of us spend the day taking quick and shallow breaths. Lay your right hand  above your belly button now as your continue to breathe as you have been. Do you see your hand rise and fall? If not you are like most of us, your breathing is quick and shallow instead of slow and deep.

Quick and shallow breathing starves your body of oxygen. This leads to a feeling of stress, reduced vitality,  a not so great immune system and a myriad of other factors.

There are many benefits of deep breathing, here are the top five: 

1. Oxygen is nourishment for your entire body and better oxygenation equals overall improved health. 
2. Deep breathing ”massages” your internal organs. During deep breathing blood circulates more efficiently to the organs like the stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas and even the heart .
3. Measured, deep breaths means less work for your heart, that translates to a stronger heart which in turn can reduce blood pressure. 
4. Reducing stress and a relaxation of the mind and body. Slow, deep, rhythmic breathing reduces your heart rate and relaxes your muscles. A major benefit is a reduction in anxiety levels because an oxygenated brain tends to have more “normal” brain function.
5. Increase in the proper digestion due to the oxygenation of food.

Try it now: with your right hand above your belly button breathe with the goal of making your hand rise and fall. Take three deep breaths and see how you feel. As a reminder to breathe deep write yourself a note and post it somewhere you look throughout the day.