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| exercise. In fact, the stress of irregular, uneven exertion can cause rather than prevent heart attacks. |
| What matters even more than regular exercise, according to many experts, is deep breathing. In our culture, we are taught to breathe shallowly, from the top of the chest down, with our shoulders back and stomachs flat. This may look fashionable, but it's not the way babies breathe. The next time you feel angry, upset, impatient, worried, apprehensive or hurt about something, stop and check your breathing. It's probably rapid and shallow rather than slow, deep and relaxed. |
| The connection between emotion and breath is so powerful that it works the other way around. You may be in a calm, peaceful environment doing something you enjoy, but if your breath is fast and shallow, your body will respond to what it perceives as a warning. Your shoulders may grow tense or your stomach tight, your hands and feet may perspire and adrenaline may flowall without your conscious mind noticing, and all because of an unthinking habit. These responses lead to jangled nerves and put unnecessary stress on the heart. |
| The correct way to breathe is slowly and deeply, relaxing the stomach and shoulders, filling the lungs from the bottom up. Some health care professionals say that deep breathing is the single most important factor in stress management and good circulatory health. You can learn how by attending a yoga class, consulting a biofeedback instructor, going to a meditation workshop or simply practicing on your own. Sit quietly and let go of all tension in your body, especially in your torso. Instead of holding your stomach in, push it out as you inhale. Start with a |
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