How often during the day do you stop and consciously take a deep breath? I think about this a lot, and yet I can still go days without remembering to take a few intentional deep breaths.
Luckily, my job keeps this from happening too often. In my massage sessions I almost always ask my clients to breathe as part of my treatments, and I usually take the opportunity to draw a nice, deep breath myself along with them.
Many exercise and meditation traditions incorporate conscious breathing, and you can try to bring breathing exercises from your yoga or tai chi or other practice into your office.
One breathing practice that I really like is Andrew Weil’s 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise. You can do this anywhere, anytime.
Sit comfortably. Take a few practice breaths to get your lungs warmed up. Exhale through your mouth, making a whooshing sound and completely emptying your lungs. Then:
- With the tip of your tongue resting easily on the roof of your mouth, close your mouth and inhale through your nose, mentally counting to four
- Hold your breath for seven counts
- Exhale again through your mouth, making a whooshing sound, for eight counts
Repeat this cycle four times or so and enjoy its relaxing benefits. Go ahead, try it right now, there at your desk.
About Today’s Tipster
Seattle massage therapist Larry Swanson’s massage practice is based in the heart of downtown Seattle, so he spends most of his days helping stressed out, posturally challenged office workers.