Breathing techniques are believed to be a fine solution for those of you who might be struggling with allergies. Sounds weird, but apparently the root cause of your allergies has a lot to do with your breathing. Come to think of it, a lot of our health problems happen because we don’t breathe properly. You’d be very surprised at how much we rely on decent amounts of oxygen for optimal health.
Now that we are in the midst of allergy season many of us are struggling with irritating symptoms like congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny noses. Apparently, there are over 36 million people in the US who struggle with allergies daily. What’s the point of mindlessly popping antihistamines all day? You might as well light some candles, relax and get busy with some breathing techniques.
Does this sound like an unrealistic solution to you? How the heck are you supposed to breathe when your nose is clogged up? Well, apparently if you breathe correctly you might be in for a massive surprise.
Breathing Techniques To Reduce Allergies
There are experts who believe that allergies may be triggered by improper breathing. For example, you might be over-breathing or breathing through your mouth. This isn’t how it should be done naturally. Researchers have discovered that all people suffering from allergies have one thing in common, which is over-breathing (hyperventilation).
In addition, doctors state that hyperventilation leads to a deficit of carbon dioxide in the lungs. Interestingly, carbon dioxide plays an important part in human metabolism, and a deficiency of it causes serious metabolic problems. Therefore, when we compromise our breathing, the metabolism weakens the immune system and creates dysfunctional responses to environmental stimuli. But if you can correct over-breathing, your metabolism and the immune system might be restored to proper functioning and your allergies should disappear.
Try These Breathing Techniques
According to Ashley Neese, who wrote the book, How To Breathe, you must avoid any breathwork that activates the sympathetic nervous system while congested. She recommends staying away from fast-paced, intense practices that take up too much of your energy until the congestion has cleared. So any of the intense, yoga, heat-promoting breath work like the breath of fire should be avoided. Take time to breathe in a deep, relaxing way instead.
It might seem difficult to breathe when you’re congested. But if you get the hang of the technique you’ll start to feel the relief it brings you. Neese says that there are breathing practices that engage with the parasympathetic system. These techniques include alternate-nostril breathing, taking deep breaths through one nostril at a time, and exhaling through the other.
What If You Can’t Breathe Out Of One Nostrils Entirely?
Adjust your breathing techniques. Experts explain that if this is the case then you should simply practice slowly inhaling and exhaling through that nostrils for a couple of minutes. Neese says that this will bring your nervous system into a regulated state.
According to David Elliot, Neese’s breathwork teacher recommends breathing into your belly, then your chest, and then exhaling. And if you’re so congested that you can’t breathe at all, then you can use your mouth. Give this three-part routine a try if you have allergies. Breathing techniques like this will help with nasal congestion. Elliot explains that it’s one inhale, one inhale, and an exhalation. He suggests doing it rapidly, but it doesn’t have to be ridiculously fast. Lastly, attempt these breathing techniques for three to seven minutes.
There may not be hardcore evidence behind this theory, but there are many people who practice breathing techniques regularly. They all report that it can significantly relieve symptoms of allergies or the common cold when done correctly. People who use breathing techniques often state that afterward, either the cold is gone or it’s dissipated.
Better yet, clinical studies show that diaphragmatic breathing increases respiratory capacity, lowers cortisol levels, and regulates blood pressure.
How Does Breathing Techniques Help?
Although breathing deeply is a great way to alleviate congestion. I think it would be best to try to loosen up the congestion before attempting it. Depending on the extent of your congestion, you might be feeling a lot of pressure in your head. Neese recommends using a neti pot to flush out your sinuses to relieve sinus pressure.
Don’t expect to be comfortable either. You will need to take it slowly and ease into the breathing techniques and processes. Inhaling and exhaling will make you feel a variety of different sensations. Breathing deeply on a regular basis will also strengthen your lungs and keep them open. When we don’t work properly for a long time, our airways become weaker and more constricted.
There are studies that state how breathing techniques can significantly improve congestion in more ways than one. Often those who struggle with allergies are more prone to developing other illnesses like bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and other lung infections.
Moreover, a 2009 study found that certain yoga-inspired breathing techniques might help with breathing difficulties related to bronchial asthma, including wheezing. There’s nothing worse than battling to breathe while you’re sleeping. In fact, sleep deprivation is also linked to increased allergies and congestion.
Soothe Your Stressed-Out Brain
Whether you are somebody who gets terrible allergies. Breathing deeply and really focusing on learning new breathing techniques might help you in more ways than one. Breathing is an amazing way to soothe a stressed mind and will help ease the nasty effects of a panic attack too. Deep breathing exercises will help to try to slow your breathing down.
Give this a try because it will only take a few minutes out of your day. All you need to do is focus on breathing deeply into the stomach and start counting your breaths.
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