{"id":7957,"date":"2025-01-13T21:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7957"},"modified":"2025-01-13T21:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T21:30:00","slug":"live-whole-health-256-unlock-relaxation-with-intentional-breathing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7957","title":{"rendered":"Live Whole Health #256: Unlock relaxation with intentional breathing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2025-01-13T21:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

What is free, requires no equipment or facility, and takes only a few minutes to create changes in your mind and body? Breathing!<\/p>\n

As it turns out, the fastest way to shift from a \u201cfight or flight\u201d to a \u201crest and digest\u201d state is something you already do all day, every day. We\u2019re just going to add attention and intention to take a longer and deeper breath than you might in a typical day to increase your relaxation, focus and clarity.<\/p>\n

This \u201crest and digest\u201d parasympathetic nervous system encourages your muscles to relax, and your heart is a muscle, so lengthening the breath may also positively affect your blood pressure. There may be times you don\u2019t even realize you are stressed until you notice a tightness in your jaw, neck or shoulders. This is a good time to take a long, deep breath, focusing entirely on that exchange of air in that moment. Breathing is the foundation of mindfulness; being present in the moment with the movement of our body as we take in and release air brings our awareness to this one action.<\/p>\n

Join Dr. Brandon Yabko in this 3-minute breathing space meditation. See if you can notice your body relaxing with each breath.<\/p>\n

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Your most precious commodity is time, and when you honor a few minutes to breathe, you prioritize your well-being. You can find more breathing, mindfulness, and relaxation practices and tips in VA\u2019s Live Whole Health mobile app<\/a> or on the VA Whole Health website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Feeling stressed? Your breath can help you relax and focus. Take 3 minutes to reset and prioritize your well being for this week’s #LiveWholeHealth practice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":91,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-health-care","category-whole-health-wellness"],"yoast_head":"\nLive Whole Health #256: Unlock relaxation with intentional breathing - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Feeling stressed? Your breath can help you relax and focus. 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