Faster Isn’t Always Better

When you are trotting on the treadmill or sweating through a tennis match, your heart rate and breathing will accelerate to deliver the necessary oxygen to your hungry muscles and to dump the mounting burden of carbon dioxide. Your body will respond automatically to the increased physical demands by ramping up your heart and lungs. This is, of course, a good thing.

Unfortunately, strong emotions (especially those you can’t act upon) can also speed up breathing and heart rate even when you don’t actually need extra oxygen. Even an imagined threat can overheat your engine.

FAST breathing often means SHALLOW breathing. Shallow breathing is INEFFICIENT. Remember that the top of your lungs are small, narrow and locked in by unyielding ribs and muscles. Ideally, you fill the top of your chest AFTER the lower more elastic lungs are full. Even when you are running, breathing ONLY into your upper lungs generates tension and gives you a very poor return for the energy invested.

When we are nervous, impatient, angry or apprehensive, it is critical that we stay calm, centered, and relaxed. Next time your emotions try to bully your breathing, exhale and shift to low, slow and deep breathing. Your mind will be clearer, your voice deeper and your demeanor more self-assured.

Be well. Breathe beautifully.