Giving Depression The Air

How are you feeling right now?

A little tense, perhaps? Maybe the opposite, kind of drug-out and lethargic?

Here's a suggestion: Check your breathing. If you're slouching in a chair or flopped on a couch, taking in little shallow sniffs of air, your body may not be getting the fuel it needs to perform up to par.

Think about it: Your brain needs oxygen to fire itself up. Your body needs oxygen to burn the energy it needs to function properly and keep you feeling good about it.

Try this: Sit up straight. Breathe deeply, now, into your stomach. Hold it for a count of four. Now blow it out through your mouth as though you were putting out a candle in front of you. Do it again. And again.

Now breathe in through your nose, and count one, two, three, four. Now exhale.

Notice a change in the way you feel? You should, and you will.

Not especially a high-powered motivational exercise, maybe, but a good way to get motivated when you're feeling deflated.

Just tell your troubles to blow!


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