Living on one of the highest points in the county with an open field behind allows for a beautiful view, but also a constant breeze. Sometimes it can feel like a gale-force wind! In the summer, I’m always watching for those days I can throw open the windows to allow the flowing fresh air to push away the stale air.
Our bodies have a natural rhythm of letting the stale out and the fresh in with our constant breathing in and breathing out. In fact, some of us lose the best benefits of breathing and even adversely affect our health because we consistently breathe shallowly. If you aren’t sure of how you breathe, take a minute to consciously listen to your breathing.
The way you breathe affects your whole body, according to a WebMD article called “Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation.” Breathing deeply has many positive effects, especially lowering stress in your body.
“This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax,” the WebMD article states. “The brain then sends this message to your body. Those things that happen when you are stressed, such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, and high blood pressure, all decrease as you breathe deeply to relax.”
This rhythm of constantly letting the stale out and the fresh in, moment by moment, can be seen in our spiritual lives as well. God designed us to be in relationship with Him and to talk with Him through prayer. Prayer can become like our rhythm of breathing. Paul, an influential first-century Christian who wrote several books of the Bible, spoke of being joyful and praying constantly in his letter to the Christians in Thessalonica.
We can become overwhelmed with negative thoughts and weighed down with cares and wrongs we’ve done. Letting the stale out, confessing these to God, and then breathing in joy, gratitude, and peace can do wonders for our spirit, just as physically breathing well can do wonders for our bodies.
When you feel the wind this summer, breathe out and breathe in deeply. Throw open the windows of your soul to exhale through confession and then inhale the gifts of God.
Stonecroft’s Detox – find your balance outreach encourages women toward real balance for their whole person – body, mind, and spirit. This article is one example of the types of breakout topics that could be addressed during a Detox event planned in your community. To learn more about Detox and bringing it to your community, visit stonecroft.org/detox.
Nancy Sprowls
Outreach Specialist