Breathing to destress

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28/06/2018 

Some time ago, tips on how to easily live to be a hundred were featured on Nu.nl. Various scientists were interviewed. In summary, it boils down to always, but especially in your thirties or forties, trying to maintain the balance between stress and relaxation, and restoring it when necessary.

Western Research on Classic Asian Stress Management
Investigating the Traditional Chinese medicine and the emerging science behind respiratory regulation, Peter Deadman, a prominent British acupuncturist, teacher, and author, explores the effects of deep breathing. In the Journal of Chinese Medicine [1], he sheds light on the benefits of deep breathing. He shares the ancient Asians' belief that slow breathing can improve various emotional and physical ailments.

The Deliberate Power of Deep, Slow Breathing
In Asian culture, a simple method to destress has been in use for centuries: a slow, deep, and low abdominal breathing. Asians view this as a powerful tool to improve health. In the West, there is also a growing understanding of the effect of deep breathing on the body.

Peter Deadman [2] advises the therapist: teach your patient this simple way of breathing. This can be done when the patient is lying on the treatment table in the practice or when the patient is visited at home. Applying slow breathing puts someone in a calm, focused, and intuitive state. This enhances the effectiveness of the treatment and the interaction between practitioner and patient. In short, there is much to be gained when we focus on our breathing!

[1] Journal of Chinese Medicine    [2] Article Peter Deadman