We all get stressed, and in these times, it may be even more frequent for some people. It’s important to take care of yourself and reduce tension – a great way to do this is with relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, stretching, and taking breaks from social media. Our orthodontist near Elgin explains how to decompress and relax below!
Deep Breathing Exercises
Taking deep breaths is a great way to calm down quickly. Deep breaths decrease your heart rate, slow your breathing down, and reduce your blood pressure. Taking time to focus on deep breathing exercises takes advantage of these benefits to relieve tension and promote a relaxed mood. Try these two below:
- Belly breathing – While sitting or lying flat, put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Take a deep breath through your nose and let your belly push your hand out, being careful not to let your chest move. Breathe out through your mouth. Repeat up to 10 times.
- 4-7-8 Breathing – This is a more advanced version of belly breathing. Take the same position as belly breathing. Count to 4 as you take a slow, deep breath, hold it for 7 seconds, and breathe out slowly as you count to 8. Repeat up to 7 times until you feel relaxed!
You can follow up these exercises with meditation and/or stretching to clear your mind even more. If you are a fan of fragrances, you can set up relaxing essential oils such as lavender or jasmine to enhance your experience!
Unplug
As social media grows, it is becoming harder to resist the temptation to refresh the news and scroll through posts and shares. If you feel stressed by this, it is critical to practice removing yourself from the cycle for at least part of the day. Make a point to avoid the internet and unplug for a certain amount of time. Try a few hours before bed and see how it affects your mood!
Contact Our Orthodontist near Elgin Today To Schedule An Appointment!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact White Brown Smiles, with a convenient orthodontic office near Elgin by clicking here or by calling 803.708.7390.
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