deepstash
Beta
These Navy SEAL tricks will help you perform better under pressure
Controlled breathing
... is the fastest, most effective way to trigger the relaxation response, enabling you to think more clearly and perform better under pressure.
288 SAVES
This is a professional note extracted from an online article.
Read more efficiently
Save what inspires you
Remember anything
IDEA EXTRACTED FROM:
5
Key Ideas
Shallow breathing
We loose the ability to breath deeply naturally as we age: deep breathing comes naturally to children, but we lose the ability because we’re in a constant state of fight-or-flight, low-level stress. Our breathing migrates up in our bodies; it's an anxious breath.
Navy Seal tricks
The Navy SEALs use 2 breathing techniques that force the body into a more relaxed state when they’re in a high-pressure situation:
- Tactical breathing
- Box breathing.
Tactical breathing
Is a technique to use when you feel yourself having a fight-or-flight response. It involves all your breathing muscles–from chest to belly.
- Place your right hand on your belly, pushing out with a big exhale. Then breathe in through your nostrils, slowly drawing the breath upward from your belly to your upper chest.
- Pause and exhale, starting from your chest and moving downward to the air in your belly. Imagine your belly button touching your spine.
- Once you’re comfortable with a full, deep breath, repeat it, this time making the exhale twice as long as the length of the inhale.
Box breathing
It’s meant to ground you, sharpen your concentration, and leave you feeling alert but calm.
- Push the air out of your chest, keeping your lungs empty for the count of four. Then start the tactical breathing, inhaling through your nose for a count of four, drawing air into your belly and moving up into your chest. Hold the air in your lungs for a count of four.
- The movement should feel fluid and open. Exhale smoothly, starting at the chest and moving to the belly, for four slow counts. Complete the box with a pause of four before beginning another repetition.
- Continue this technique for five minutes.
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
6
Key Ideas
Sama Vritti or “Equal Breathing”
How it’s done: Inhale for a count of 4, then exhale for a count of 4, all through the nose, which adds a natural resistance to the breath. Once you manage it, you can go up to a c...
Abdominal Breathing Technique
When it works best: Before an exam, or any stressful event.
Nadi Shodhana or “Alternate Nostril Breathing”
How it’s done: Starting in a comfortable meditative pose, hold the right thumb over the right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril. At the peak of inhalation, close off the left nostril with the ring finger, then exhale through the right nostril. Continue the pattern, inhaling through the right nostril, closing it off with the right thumb and exhaling through the left nostril.
When it works best: Crunch time, or whenever it’s time to focus or energize.
3 more ideas
4
Key Ideas
Breathing Techniques for Muscle Tension Relief
- Stand up straight and bend forward at the waist. Bend knees slightly, letting your arms hang limply, close to the floor.
- Inhale slowly and deeply, and return to a stan...
Breathing Techniques for Side Pain
Practicing deep “belly breathing” can reduce the stress on the supporting ligaments of the diaphragm and can help relieve side stitches.
Belly breath: Lie down on the floor and place a hand on your belly. Breathe deeply. If you feel your hand rise and fall slightly with your breathing, you’re belly breathing. If your chest is moving instead of your stomach, you’re not breathing deeply enough, and need to adjust.
Breathing Techniques for Increased Energy
- Sit up tall, and relax your shoulders.
- Keep your mouth closed and inhale rapidly through your nose with quick, short breaths (exhale quickly as well).
- Try doing that for about 10 seconds.
- Take a 15-30 second break and breathe normally. Repeat several times.
one more idea
7
Key Ideas
Breathing exercises
Breathing is at the core of ancient (and currently trendy) mindfulness practices, from yoga and tai chi to meditation.
However, studies suggest that breathing exercises alone, derived from...
Deep, controlled breathing
It involves filling the lungs to the max and goes by various names like belly or diaphragmatic breathing.
It has been linked to improved cognitive performance, lower stress levels, and lower blood pressure.
Breathing and yoga
Central to ancient Hindu philosophy was prana, described as vital “airs” or “energies” flowing through the body. Stemming from that belief, yoga was built on pranayama or breath retention.
4 more ideas