My Mum often sends me neat tips and tricks that may help with my Endometriosis, or overall health.  She knows how excited I was to learn and practice mindful diaphragmatic breathing in November and forwarded me something I may want to try to add onto the benefits of breathing.

Have you heard of alternatively breathing through your nostrils?  This was a new one for me.  And it’s said to bring a bit of peace of mind.  Seeing as how much diaphragmatic breathing has helped with my focus, my stress, those GRRRRR-I’m-So-Worked-Up moments, and my pain, I look forward to incorporating a bit of this nostril breathing into my daily routine.

How do you do it?

1. Take a nice, slow, deep breath through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
2. Before your next breath, block your right nostril with your thumb. Inhale through your left nostril.  Hold it.
3. Unblock your right nostril.  Pinch off your left nostril with your free fingers and exhale slowly through your right nostril.
4. Wait a few seconds, keeping that left nostril blocked.  Inhale through your right nostril, hold it a second, then switch fingers (pinch closed your right nostril and open up your left nostril), and exhale slowly through your left nostril.

For more detailed instructions and a bit of the benefits this alternative breathing may offer, here’s an article by BreakingMuscle.

Thoughts?  What do YOU do to stay calm or focused, especially during the stressful holidays?  Have you found mindful breathing also helps with your pain? Drop us a comment below.

And thanks, Mum, for the info! I love you!

Resources:

Breaking Muscle

~ Again, I am a layman.  I do not hold any college degrees, nor mastery of knowledge.  Please take what I say with a grain of salt.  If curious, do your own research Validate my writings.  Or challenge them.  And ALWAYS feel free to consult with your physician. Always.  Yours ~ Lisa