Healthy Hundred

Carlos was having a bad day and feeling stressed. He was behind on work, his phone kept interrupting him, and everything just seemed too much. He couldn’t focus. Just then, Petra walked by and looked shocked. “Are you alright, Carlos? You look awful! You should take some deep breaths to help you calm down.”

Carlos paused, sat back in his chair, and took a slow, deep breath. He held it for a moment, then let it out slowly. He repeated this a few more times. Amazingly, each breath made him feel a little calmer. The overwhelming feeling began to lift, and the world didn’t seem so bad anymore.

When you get stressed, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, making you breathe fast and shallow. But taking deep breaths tricks your body into thinking it’s safe, slowing your heart rate and calming you down. It’s like hitting the “reset” button for your brain.

Deep breathing brings more oxygen to your body. This extra oxygen helps your brain relax and makes you feel better. It activates a part of your nervous system called the “parasympathetic” system, which acts like a natural brake for stress.

Next time you feel overwhelmed, give it a try: breathe in slowly through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, and then breathe out through your mouth for another four seconds. Do this a few times and see how much better you feel. It’s an easy way to stay calm when life gets hectic!