Posts Tagged ‘Deep Breathing’
Catch Your Breath
One of the most effective plans for cigarette craving control is to breathe gently and deeply – from five to ten times. This is effective seen as oxygen both strengthens and relaxes the brain, which brings about a state of “controlled relaxation”, just like nicotine does.
Breathing exercises is a control mechanism that can be applied anywhere, at any time. Just remember not to see it as duty, but rather as something enjoyable and relaxing to do.
Fill your lungs with air from the bottom up towards your shoulders and concentrate on exhaling the air again in the opposite sequence. Your ribcage really needs to expand and contract. After a few such breaths, you will already start feeling different – a sign that your craving is subsiding.
If you start feeling dizzy or see white dots in front of your eyes, you are busy hyperventilating (taking in too much oxygen). If this ever happens, stop the deep breathing immediately and breathe normally.
It’s not unusual for people who are quiting smoking to cough up phlegm during breathing exercises in the beginning. Although it might be a bit uncomfortable, it is truly a sign that your lungs are busy getting rid of years of tar and junk.
