And Breathe...
Women's Health South Africa|November 2018

Scrambling to keep up as the year snowballs into its chaotic end? This simple health upgrade that you can do in your sleep could improve everything from your energy levels to your sex life, as long as you do it right

Charlotte Haigh
And Breathe...

Breathing, much like the act of manoeuvring one leg in front of the other and navigating traffic circles on your drive home, is easy until you actually think about it. Become aware of your lungs expanding and contracting inside your chest and you’ll wonder how you’ve managed to do it on autopilot for your whole life. So, try not to go blue in the face as we tell you that respiration is big news.

Breathing spaces and workshops are cropping up in London, New York and LA and it’s set to become a major wellness trend.

It makes sense. Anyone who’s ever been told to “take a deep breath” will know the calm-thef*ck-down power of a few lungfuls. Rebecca Dennis, transformational breathing coach, cites the link between the nervous system and inhale/exhale on repeat. “The sympathetic nervous system is the one responsible for your fight-or-flight response,” she explains. “When activated, it raises your heart rate and blood pressure, diverting blood to the brain and skeletal muscles and flooding the body with adrenaline and cortisol. But breathing fully from the diaphragm stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows your heart rate, lowers blood pressure and diverts blood supply towards the digestive and reproductive systems. It means that breathing in the right way can interrupt the cycle of adrenaline and cortisol, which contributes to chronically high stress levels and acts as a precursor to panic attacks and anxiety.”

Esta historia es de la edición November 2018 de Women's Health South Africa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 2018 de Women's Health South Africa.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE WOMEN'S HEALTH SOUTH AFRICAVer todo
Irreconcilable Differences?
Women's Health South Africa

Irreconcilable Differences?

You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.

time-read
4 minutos  |
July - August 2024
Hot And Bothered
Women's Health South Africa

Hot And Bothered

Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.

time-read
3 minutos  |
July - August 2024
Self-esteem under the microscope
Women's Health South Africa

Self-esteem under the microscope

The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.

time-read
7 minutos  |
July - August 2024
the reset
Women's Health South Africa

the reset

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2024
Mind Over Muscle
Women's Health South Africa

Mind Over Muscle

Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?

time-read
2 minutos  |
July - August 2024
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Women's Health South Africa

ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE

Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.

time-read
4 minutos  |
July - August 2024
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
Women's Health South Africa

Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free

The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*

time-read
7 minutos  |
July - August 2024
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Women's Health South Africa

FUEL YOUR SKIN

Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.

time-read
5 minutos  |
July - August 2024
How To Be Decisive
Women's Health South Africa

How To Be Decisive

You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.

time-read
5 minutos  |
July - August 2024
Build A Strong Base
Women's Health South Africa

Build A Strong Base

You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2024