Your breath is the main way you interface with the world around you. Breathe well and you can improve your sleep, strength, stamina, and even sleep. Breathing poorly could have the opposite effect on your health. While this is true for everyone, studies have shown that older adults can benefit the most from breathing properly.
That begs the question — what does it mean to breathe properly? The easiest way to learn is through breathing exercises. Below, you’ll find five breathing exercises you can start utilizing to manage your health.
Complete breathing is exactly what it sounds like. It involves breathing in slowly and deeply, pausing for a moment, and then exhaling in a slow and deliberate manner. The purpose of this exercise is to bring mindfulness to your entire breathing process. Doing this for just five minutes a day can help you increase the fullness of your breath in your daily life.
No, this doesn’t involve breathing through your feet. Instead, feet breathing refers to what you focus on while exhaling during this exercise. Start by bringing your concentration to your breath. Don’t try to speed up your breath or slow it down.
Breathe normally, but as you start your exhale, imagine all of the stress and tension in your body moving down and leaving through your feet. This breathing exercise will help you relax as much as it improves your breathing.
When practicing this breathing exercise, you’ll take in short, shallow breaths through your nose. The purpose of this is to slow the dangerous cycle of rapid breathing that often occurs in individuals who are suffering from asthma attacks. If you have asthma, practicing Buteyko Breathing can help you manage your breath more effectively the next time an attack comes.
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably enjoyed belting out a high note or two in the comfort of your car. What you may not have realized is that doing so actually helped your breathing. Signing exercises your diaphragm and requires big inhales, which train your body to breathe deeper and more fully. The next time you feel like singing in the car, do it! You’ll be helping your health by improving your breathing.
Yoga is another way you can improve your breathing. When practicing, you’ll be asked to synchronize your body movements and breathe. This helps you think about your breath differently and can influence you to take on a healthier form of breathing in your daily life.
Interested in giving yoga a shot? If so, you may want to take a class online through a program like SilverSneakers. You may even be able to get the costs of a class covered by your Medicare health insurance.
Get in touch with Time For 65 if you’re unsure about whether your Medicare Advantage plan covers yoga classes. Our licensed insurance agents are standing by to answer your questions and help you find the medical support you need to improve your breathing. You can either fill out this form or give us a call to get started.
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