My purpose in writing this article is to encourage you to change a reflection. Instead of holding your breath, try taking deep breaths as soon as you feel an abdominal cramp. Deep breathing is therapeutic for the body. Most people don’t breathe deeply. Their bodies force them to breathe deeply in the form of sighs. Sighing can be done on purpose, or your body can request oxygen in the form of a yawn.

There are 3 main steps to therapeutic deep breathing.

1. Breathe in slowly, filling your lungs with air, breathing through your nose;

2. Hold the air in your lungs for at least three to four seconds,

3. Let the air out slowly through your mouth, counting one, two and three.

It is important to breathe slowly and deeply when a person feels an abdominal cramp or pain in the extremities. Abdominal cramps can occur before or after eating. Limb cramps occur as a result of a build-up of lactic acid in the muscle due to overexertion.

When a person feels a cramp, either in the abdomen or limb, the first thing they do is stop breathing. Think about the last time you had an abdominal cramp. Did you hold your breath? You sure did! It is almost a reflex action.

The next time you feel an abdominal cramp, take a deep breath through your nose, count 1 … 2 … 3, and breathe out through your mouth. Repeat the steps over and over, until the cramp subsides. Breathing deeply can also help you relax if you are tense or under an excessive amount of stress. You can take a deep breath anywhere and anytime, at work or at play.

Breathing deeply is an important step in the relaxation process. People who take fitness classes learn the importance of oxygenating their bodies before exercising and relaxing their muscles after wards. Deep breathing techniques are used before Yoga classes begin and aerobics instructors begin and end their routines with breathing exercises: they raise their arms on the inhale and lower their arms on the exhale.

Deep breathing is beneficial to the body (like milk) and should be practiced at least two to three times a day to keep the body oxygenated and aid relaxation. Whether you’re experiencing abdominal cramps or muscle spasms, filling your lungs with air and blowing it out will help relax abdominal cramps and muscle spasms. Breathing in and out slowly provides relaxation for both your body and mind.