Most people breathe only with their upper to middle areas in the lungs. The real capacity is a lot more than that. As we grow older, we tend not to take full breathes as we have trained our body in the wrong way for a while, so our new natural is just chest breathing.
(Excerpt from pdrclinics below)
During times of emotional stress, our sympathetic nervous system is stimulated and affects a number of physical responses. Our heart rate rises, we perspire, our muscles tense and our breathing becomes rapid and shallow. If this process happens over a long period of time, the sympathetic nervous system becomes over-stimulated, leading to an imbalance that can affect our physical health resulting in problems including inflammation, high blood pressure, and muscle pain. Abdominal breathing helps promote relaxation, stress reduction, increased efficiency in stretching, and better body awareness.
Benefits of Abdominal Breathing
- Increases supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body
- Helps increase the supply of blood and nutrients to muscle blood and bones
- Relaxes muscle spasm and relieves tension
- Releases and reduces muscular tension that eventually may cause structural problems
- Supports muscle growth and provides energy to get things done