Breathing. It’s something that we do all day, everyday, since we entered the world. Take a deep breath—pause—and exhale. Did you know when you drew your breath in, you supplied much needed oxygen to your body and organs, and as you pushed it out, you removed waste products and toxins from within. More than 70% of our toxins are dismissed from our body through our breath. But, breathing is something that we hardly ever think twice about.

Have you ever noticed that when you are on edge, upset or anxious, your breath becomes quick and short? When you take a deep breath, you cause your heart rate to slow down, which creates a feeling of calmness and relaxation.
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When you pay attention to your breathing, it can help you tap into your emotions and then you can gain an understanding about what triggers you! It’s important to pay attention to signs of “bad” breathing such as:

• Holding your breath at times
• Feeling as if you ran out of breath
• Taking quick, shallow breaths
• Constantly feeling a need to take a deep breath​

If you feel yourself doing any of these things above, pause, slow down, and take a few deep breaths. If you practice deep breathing it can have several beneficial effects including:

• Increased energy
• Muscle tension relief
• Uplifting the digestive system
• Improving the respiratory system by releasing tension in the diaphragm
• Strengthening the lymphatic system
• Improvement of the cardiovascular system

T.E.A.M. Mentoring and mental health services accepting medicaid in the Baltimore & Hagerstown area.