You cannot survive without breathing. Our breathing patterns affect our chemistry and brain function. When you do not breathe deeply or are in the habit of quick, short, sharp breaths there is a direct correlation to the amygdala, the primitive part of our brain. When the amygdala is stimulated we are in fight or flight mode looking for danger and on high alert. Some people call this being a type A personality but often it isa learned behaviour in response to stress. You can relearn to breathe deeply and calm your whole system down. Try it. Take a slow luxurious (I'm on vacation) deep breath in imagining there is nothing else to do in this moment but relax and rest with a deep breath and a sigh.
