Healthy Living Newsletter, Issue #6: Website remodeled, Breathing to reduce stress. January 18, 2009

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Becky

Hard to believe that it is already past the middle of January! With all the cold weather that we've been having, it's made it easier to stay inside and work on my website. The "remodel" of the existing pages is now complete (except for the constant tweaking....).

In the coming weeks and months, I will be adding information on the various types of massage and energy healing techniques. It will be a fun project, and I've already gotten many ideas for information that I want to add.

Those ideas include expanding my Aromatherapy section to have a separate page for each individual essential oil, with their properties, and also ways to use them for your health and enjoyment.

I'm also putting together some new massage services and packages, and will notify you as soon as I have them available.

I hope you enjoy the article I found on using breathing to relax. Very simple, easy to do, and best of all, effective!

And of course my favorite way to relax and reduce stress is to get a massage! Call today to book your next session. (360) 413-5863.

Breathing is powerful! It's not only the way we keep our bodies functioning, but you can also use breathing as a major influencing factor on your state of mind. Most of us don't breathe deeply enough, but the simple act of breathing correctly can help reduce stress and tension.

Many holistic practitioners believe that breathing is the link between the physical body and the ethereal mind, and scientific studies have shown that correct breathing can help manage stress and stress-related conditions by soothing the nervous system.

In fact, proper breathing is said to be one of the most effective techniques for relieving stress. The way you breathe effects the tension in your muscles and influences your thoughts and feelings, and that's why many health gurus advise people to do breathing exercises regularly.

If you have never tried breathing exercises before, try them now. First go to a quiet location that is free of distractions, where you can sit or lay in a comfortable body position. Some also say you can stand up, but I believe that decreases your ability to relax.

Start by breathing slowly, but deeply. Take air in through your nose, and then blow the air out through your mouth. Deep breathing means drawing air down into your lower abdomen. Don't just take the air into your throat and breathe out. That's what we usually do. Begin by slowly breathing in deeply through your nose to a count of 5. Hold the breath for a heart beat, and then slowly exhale through your mouth to a count of 6. Continue for at least 2 minutes, and then notice what happens. Notice how relaxed you can make yourself feel.

Cheryl Bond-Nelms is an Emmy winning broadcast producer, a certified stress management specialist, and author and developer of http://www.tranquilityisyours.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cheryl_Bond-Nelms