Can Breathing Exercises Help You Lose Weight?

Many people are well aware that stress can lead to weight gain, particularly in the abdomen area. There have been numerous studies that support the fact that stress can be a huge factor in whether or not a person gains weight and/or is able to burn it off. It is believed that our bellies get rounder (read: fatter) when we are under stress because our stress hormones begin firing to make sure that we have enough fuel to “fight or flee” if the need arises. To ensure that we are adequately equipped to do damage or run, these hormones “prod” us to eat. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with stress so that the hormone responsible for encouraging us to eat and holding on to fat, are reduced. Some of the very best ways are to get enough rest, eat a low carbohydrate diet (just for a period), and engage in de-stressor activities and also to exercise.

 

Not getting enough rest is a quick and sure-fire way to get those belly fattening hormones firing off. It is important to get enough rest every night. If you find that you are unable to sleep enough hours a few nights during the week, make sure that you catch a nap when you can. On most nights and every night if possible, shoot for 8 hours of sleep every night. You will find that once this becomes a habit, you should be able to burn stubborn belly fat much easier.

 

When you are first trying to turn things around, it is best to stick with a low carbohydrate diet. Over time, you will and should start adding good carbohydrates back to your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

 

Diets higher in protein help you feel full for longer periods of time, which should decrease your appetite and cravings. Another reason that you should decrease the amount of carbohydrates that you eat early on in your belly-busting diet, is that carbs spike your blood sugar, which can lead to stronger cravings for simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs can lead to weight gain in a hurry.

 

Participating in activities that decrease your stress levels can also be quite beneficial. Such activities will lower stress hormones which cause us to gain weights around our middles. Great activities to try include deep breathing exercises. To begin, find a quiet space where you can relax without being bothered. Place a hand on your stomach and breathe in through your nose, hold it for a couple of seconds and then breathe out through your mouth. Do this about 10 times. It will help you to feel much more calm and relaxed. Other great things that you can do to decrease stress levels include watching a funny movie, cutting back on unnecessary activities, praying or simply resting. If you fit these types of things into your schedule everyday, you should be able to lower your overall stress levels.

 

Exercising on a regular basis is also a great stress buster. It also helps to burn fat, calories and causes feel good hormones to be released. These will counteract and thwart the production of stress hormones.

 

 

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