In Alex's story earlier this week, he was able to manage negative news by first taking a few good deep breaths. While it sounds too simple to work, taking a deep breath is exactly what he needed to do. Literally. Informed decisions come from a calm state of mind and effective breathing techniques create the physiological foundations for making such decisions by helping us keep a cool, clear head.
Smooth, regular paced breathing improves cognitive function in the short and long term. It helps balance adrenalin and cortisol, (the chemicals of panic and threat) with acetylcholine and DHEA, (the chemicals of clear cognition). The Vagus nerve is the conduit for these chemicals, and if we can control panic and anxiety we are in effect ‘holding our (vagus) nerve.’ Nervous system control, or ‘vagal tone’ is improved and strengthened significantly by breathing practices. Think of these breathing practices as a workout for your nervous system. How? By Using 10/10/10. Let’s start exercising! If you use paced breathing techniques every day, for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening, in 10 days you’ll see significant results. Commutes are excellent times to practice. Click on the infographic below and see how easy it is to breathe.
To learn more about managing your Physical Intelligence, please visit www.companiesinmotion.com or order our book, on sale now.
About Companies in Motion
There are over 80 easy to use techniques and tips to build our Physical Intelligence. You can read about all of them in our new book, Physical Intelligence: Harness Your Body’s Untapped Intelligence to Achieve More, Stress Less and Live More Happily available from Simon and Schuster. (Order here.) (Multiple translations will be available later in 2019.)
In our next post, we’ll share more stories of how Physical Intelligence has helped individuals and teams Achieve More, Stress Less and Live More Happily. Until then, give these techniques a try and let us know how they help you!
For more information about how Physical Intelligence can help you, your team or your organization, visit us at www.companiesinmotion.com.