Humans cannot exist without oxygen, but the amount of oxygen that we need to survive is less than the amount we need to function at optimal levels. Who wants to merely survive though?

Stress is a large contributor to our irregular breathing patterns. As children we know how to breath, we take it for granted, but as we get older and life starts getting a little more stressful, our breathing goes totally out of sync.

In some circumstances there is merit in changing our natural breathing patterns. For instance, when we are angry or scared, we breath faster and shallower - this increases the speed of blood flow to the muscles - and so prepares the body for some sort of reaction to these emotions: either to attack or to run away (the 'fight-or-flight' response). The problem is that everyday stress can keep our bodies in this same state of tension for longer than necessary. Eventually we get so used to this pattern of breathing that it begins to feel normal. The long-term effects of this is a suppressed immune system, irritability, headaches and, in some cases, digestive disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

By consciously altering your rate and depth of breathing, you can counteract the anxiety you have become accustomed to. For a start, it helps to know what a normal breathing pattern is. Lie on your back on your bed or simply sit at your desk, place both hands on the top part of your abdomen and do the following:

• Inhale air through the nose, feel the lower part of the chest and stomach area expand as you do so.
• Once it reaches its maximum point, exhale through the nose.
• Feel the rib cage and stomach area contract and exsure that all of the stale air is fully exhaled from the lungs.
• Repeat.

This way of breathing may have come naturally to you once before, but over the years you 'unlearn' it. To relearn it will take some practise, but the results are worth the effort. Exercises like yoga can help you to focus on your breathing. Many people have experienced dramatic improvements in their ability to relax and breath properly by practising yoga on a regular basis.

So the next time you are feeling angry or tense, focus on your breathing - on the rhythmic up and down movement of your chest - and enjoy the feeling of relaxation that will follow!
- Bronwen de Klerk