by Louweeze

Created on: November 20, 2007   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

From The Very Start... Just Breath!
Everything we do - our lifestyles, emotions, and daily choices - are influenced by our breathing. Breathing affects every system of our bodies, in turn affecting our memories, our levels of energy and concentration, our overall health.

Most people breath incorrectly - breathing shallow - and are not even aware of it. We 'forget' to breath deeply by bringing air down to the lower part of the lungs where the richest blood supply is. Instead we only bring air into the upper portions of our lungs depriving our bodies of rich oxygen. Take 'breathing breaks' throughout the day. Place your hand on your abdomen, take a deep breath in and feel the movement in your lower abdomen - sometimes referred to as 'belly breathing.' Take this test (http://breathing.com/tests.htm) to see how well you breath.

When you feel anxious or nervous, your breathing level increases. Take some deep breaths. It slows your heart rate, helping in the long run to reduce the likelihood of such things as heart disease and high blood pressure.

Next... Take A Walk!

Benefits:
Strengthens back muscles
Easy on your joints
Strengthens your bones
Lowers blood pressure
Allows time with family and friends
Cuts cholesterol
Reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, and more
Reduces stress
Improves quality and duration of sleep
Improves mood and outlook on life
Can be done almost anywhere
Requires no equipment
AND it's Free!

Start out slow and easy - for beginners; just head out the door. Walk for 5 minutes and return. The next day, add another 5 minutes out and back. Then increase by 3 to 5 minutes a week and before you realize it, you'll be up to the US Surgeon General's recommended 30 minutes a day - at least 5 days a week.

Never leave the house for your walk (http://www.walking.org/), or perform any exercise regimen, without drinking plenty of liquids before, during, and after.

A wise start-up to your regimen is including a warm-up to your routine - walking slower at first. End the regimen with a cool down - again, walking at a slower pace than during the actual walk.

Follow That With A Good Laugh!
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
"Don't take your life too seriously, you'll never get out of it alive."

Laughter (http://beta.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_healt h.htm) reduces stress by releasing natural pain killers into the body - endorphins and adrenaline. This in turn produces a 'natural high', which helps us have that good feeling about ourselves. Our

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