Stress Breath vs Relaxed Breath

Are you a mouth breather?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you notice shallow breaths or upper back, neck, jaw and rib tightness?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Our response to both conscious and unconscious stress is shallow breathing. This results in quick inhalations and exhalations resulting in more anxiety and more shallow breathing. It is a looping of internal chaos. Cortisol, our stress hormone, rises in response to shallow breathing and can (over time) down regulate our immune, digestive and reproductive hormonal systems. Eventually leading to dis-ease. Breaking the looping patterns of stress and anxiety can occur through conscious and mindful diaphragmatic breathing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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"Being aware of your breath forces you into the present moment - the key to all inner transformation. Whenever you are conscious of the breath, you are absolutely present." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
~ Eckart Tolle ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The rib cage, abdomen, and diaphragm work in tandem to move air into and out of your lungs. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped sheet of muscle and tendon that creates the ceiling of the abdominal cavity and the floor of the thoracic cavity. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The diaphragm muscle has great impacts on blood, arterial, and venous circulation while also influencing intracranial (brain) pressure. It is known as the motor "muscle of breath" but has multiple functions beyond breathing. It plays a role in coughing, vomiting, defecation, urination, swallowing and speaking/singing. It can influence metabolic balance and stimulate lymphatic return (immune system). It creates a pressure relationship between the esophagus and stomach to prevent reflux (GERD). It is also essential for posture, locomotion and the ability to move the upper limbs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Learning the art of diaphragmatic breathing goes beyond breath work. It is self body work. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀