We breathe about 19,000 times a day without thinking about it, but learning to breathe a little differently can help you take advantage of one of your body’s most powerful natural stress relievers. That’s right: the simple act of breathing deeply can not only calm you down, it can lower your heart rate and your blood pressure and be a big help in managing stress after bariatric surgery.
Plano, Denton, Frisco and Lubbock won’t be changing much after you get weight loss surgery—the same temptations and responsibilities will remain. Stress will always be an inevitable part of our lives, but too much stress can spell big trouble, especially after bariatric surgery. When we feel stressed out, it can lead to overeating and a negative attitude that will only make your weight loss journey harder.
This is what makes it so valuable to master a relaxation technique like deep breathing, which you can use anywhere, anytime you feel anxious or overwhelmed. Most of the breaths we take are short and shallow—they don’t fully engage the muscles of the diaphragm or fill the lower lungs with air, and this can make us feel anxious and out of breath.
Deep, abdominal breaths are far more efficient at providing our bodies with the oxygen they need and expelling carbon dioxide. To get an idea of how effective deep breathing can be, give it a try by following these steps:
- Find a quiet, relaxing place. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
- Take a slow, long breath through your nose. Let your abdomen and chest fill and expand completely.
- Breathe out fully through your nose or mouth, whichever feels most natural.
You can do this as often as you like, but should aim to repeat these steps for at least 10 minutes to give yourself a true stress relief session. If this is your first time trying deep breathing exercises, start by switching between normal breaths and deep breaths—this will help you see just how differently each can make you feel.
Though deep breathing can be a quick and easy way to relax in a tense moment, doing it regularly will help you take full advantage of its benefits, while combining it with other relaxation techniques can be even more effective. What other activities have helped you with stress management after bariatric surgery in Plano, Lubbock, Denton or Dallas? Tell us in the comments below!
