The idea of shedding weight and boosting metabolism is also attached to the idea of fad diets, rigorous work-outs and supplement intake. Little do we know that breathing plays a vital role when it comes to fat loss and boosting of metabolism. In reality, taking 15 minutes of deep breathing daily can help us shed unnecessary fats.
How is breathing helping us in eliminating unwanted body fats? Remember that fat consists of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. When oxygen goes into the fat molecules, it breaks them down into water and carbon dioxide. The blood filters out the carbon dioxide and surrenders it to the lungs in order to be exhaled. Oxygen also helps to thin the blood, lowers blood pressure and speeds up metabolism.
Now, are you interested in doing breathing exercises? To help you with, we are giving you 3 methods of breathing exercises and here they are:
First method: Deep Breathing for Energy
(No. of Times: 10; Position: Sitting or standing)
- Exhale all the air from your lungs and inhale slowly through your nose for 6 counts. When your lungs are completely filled, take one more sip of air.
- Hold your breath for 8-12 counts.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 counts or until when you feel that there’s no more air in your lungs.
- Hold your breath again for 8 counts, making sure that your ribcage and abdomen are kept tight and contracted. If you can’t hold your breath for 8 counts, then you can reduce the counts but you have to exert effort to do this within 8 counts next time.
Second method: Deep Breathing for Relaxation
(No. of Times: 10; Position: Sitting up, standing or lying down)
- Exhale all the air from your lungs and slowly breathe in through your nose (do this for 6 counts).
- Hold at the top of your inhale for another 6 counts.
- Exhale the air slowly for another 6 counts.
- Check your posture, make sure that your spine is straight and do the steps again.
Third method: Breathing for Metabolism
(No. of Times: 50-100; Position: Sitting on your knees or any comfortable position)
- Sit up straight and place your fists on your core center to keep your core contracted.
- Exhale all air from your lungs and inhale slowly through your nose for 6 counts.
- You can purse your lips and make short, powerful exhalations but be careful not to inhale between those exhalations.
- Exhale 50-100 times and gradually increase the number of your exhales.
- On the last exhale, you have to force all of the air from your lungs and hold for one count.
- You can then relax and breathe normally again.