Day 16: Breathe

One of the biggest benefits to exercising is that it gives you the opportunity to breathe deeply. How cool is it that we are living beings that breathe?! Our breath is what makes us alive.

For the folks who have never experienced any respiratory problems, it is fairly easy to take our ability to breathe for granted. Breathing is one of those things that, for the most part, we just do and don’t think about. But today, try breathing on purpose. Take long, deliberate, deep, appreciative breaths.

Making health and fitness fun

Deep breathing can be very cleansing on it’s own, even just sitting in a chair, but it’s also fantastic to really pay attention to how great it feels to breathe during a great workout.

Today, decide not to take breathing for granted, and appreciate this seemingly little thing that is such a huge part of being alive.

Take 5 deliberate, slow, 5-second breaths, from your belly (extending your lower abdomen).

In 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… Out 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… again

In 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… Out 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… again

In 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… Out 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… again

In 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… Out 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… again

In 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… Out 1… 2… 3… 4… 5…

How do you feel?

Did you enjoy today’s challenge? Check out the entire Live Well 360 30-Day Challenge series.