body Archives - JoyScore

The first act in this world we do is breathe and the last act is breathing.

We breathe everyday but are we breathing properly? Harvard health states that when we don’t do deep breathing from the abdomen and instead do only shallow breaths our lowest portion of the lungs do not receive the full share of oxygenated air. This can lead to shortness of breath, anxiety, and allow toxins to become stagnate in the body.

Shallow breathing, breathing through the mouth, or improper breathing patterns can lead to more tension and stress in the body. Oxygen is the key fuel that runs our body and without it we are making our cells, tissues, and systems starve, which can cause the sympathetic system to come on overdrive. When the sympathetic system is on for too long, the energy into the flight and fight response takes away from normal functioning of the brain, nervous system and the digestive system. All this can lead to chronic disease and illness.

The autonomic nervous system plays a key role in taking us back into rest and relaxation, especially after this flight and fight response. This system governs our digestive system, heart rate, and other automatic functions in our body. These functions being automatic cannot be changed consciously, but with one exception, the breath. Slowing down the breath actually directly influences the autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic system. So when stress and fear is triggered, we are able to manage the stress through our breath. Isn’t that a breath of relief?

A simple practice we can try is the three part yogic breathing:

1. Sit in a seated position or lie down on a mat
2. Place the right hand on the chest or heart and the left hand on the abdomen
3. Inhale deeply where you see your chest and abdomen rising fully like a balloon
4. And exhale where you see your tummy going inwards toward the spine, allowing all the air out of the belly
5. Practice this for 5-10 minutes

After this exercise, you will feel fresh and rejuvenated! But you have to try it to know it.

Watch SneakPeek of JoyScore 4-7-8 Breathing.

We all hit that point during the day where we start to feel like our energy tank is running on empty. This lack of energy can start to affect our productivity as well as our fulfillment and joy of our daily activities.

The fact is, while it is important to eat regularly, it is equally important to eat the right foods.

Your body often tells you exactly what it needs. When you are feeling your energy running low, try eating these 5 foods:

1. Bananas Bananas just might be one of the best foods out there for a quick energy boost. They are a great source of potassium, carbohydrates, and vitamin B6. All of these can help boost your energy levels.

2. Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are a healthy option for carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin A and manganese. They also digest slowly, so you keep a steady supply of energy after eating them.

3. Beans Beans are a great source of fiber, carbohydrates, and protein. Much like sweet potatoes, they digest slowly helping you keep a steady flow of energy.

4. Green Tea Green tea has a ton of health benefits with its high levels of antioxidants. It has caffeine to help five you a boost of energy, but L-theanine to help combat the negative effects (like anxiety and the jitters) that caffeine often brings.

5. Nuts Nuts are a great snack full of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Walnuts, almonds, and other nuts can provide a slow release of energy keeping you going for hours.

There are a ton of great, healthy foods to help boost your energy throughout the day. If you feel yourself dragging between mealtimes, try incorporating one of the foods into your day.

The Joy of the Breath

5 Foods to Eat to Help Stay Energized