Take a Deep Breath

It's your first day back after a 3-day weekend, and you're rushing around trying to catch up; maybe you're a little bit tired, and MAYBE you gained a couple of pounds - all of which can be helped by breathing deep from your belly and letting it all out slowly. You take in oxygen when you breathe - this oxygen goes into all of your cells through your circulatory system, replenishing nutrients and increasing your energy levels, while at the same time reducing tension and stress, and releasing endorphins that improve your mood. It is expelled as carbon dioxide through your lymphatic system, and takes with it toxins and other stuff that cause muscle tension and fatigue, making you sluggish and unfocused. Put one hand on your chest, and one on your stomach - focus on breathing in from your abdominals, allowing your lungs to expand to their fullest, and then push it out until again you feel it in your abs - this allows you to take in more oxygen, and release more carbon dioxide, in addition to working out your heart (muscle) and making it stronger. This is also the benefit of aerobic exercise - it increases your heart rate and forces your lungs to take in more oxygen - all of which help your mind and body to relax. By recharging your body you are able to lose weight AND burn fat - everything is working better to make you feel better! Have a good week - Melissa