Benefits of belly breathing

In a world full of fast-paced routines, mounting stress, and digital distractions, it’s easy to overlook something as basic—and as vital—as the way we breathe.

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Yet, health experts, yoga instructors, and psychologists are all urging us to return to something profoundly natural: breathing from the belly. Also known as diaphragmatic breathing, this simple technique could be the key to reducing stress, improving health, and restoring balance to our lives.

Belly breathing involves fully engaging the diaphragm when inhaling, allowing the lungs to expand downwards and outwards. Instead of the chest rising and falling with each breath—typical of the shallow breathing most of us unconsciously practice—belly breathing causes the abdomen to expand as the lungs fill more completely with air. The result is deeper, slower breaths that send a powerful calming signal to the body.

This method of breathing is instinctive in babies and animals. Watch a sleeping infant or a dog at rest, and you'll notice their bellies rise and fall with each breath. Over time, however, most adults transition into chest breathing, especially during stressful moments. While chest breathing might feel normal, it's less efficient and more taxing on the body.