Page 42 - Fully Equipped Playbook

CHAPTER 7: BREATHING
“Remember to breathe. It is after all, the secret of life.”- Gregory Maguire
You were likely unaware of your breathing until you read that quote. The ability to breathe, for many of us, comes second nature. Did you realize that each person has their own unique breathing pattern? It’s also unique in that the pattern can tell a story about where you are in your life, your day, or literally in the world. If you have not been in tune with your breath before reading this, you’ll come to appreciate how breathing correctly can change your life.
An article written recently in the Wall Street Journal proclaims that “The way we take in and expel air is as important as what we eat, how much we exercise, and the genes we’ve inherited.” It’s really that important, and being able to breathe properly just may help you live a longer and healthier life.
Proper breathing is a tool that everyone should master, but many fail to do adequately. That was me, but once I learned to harness the power of my breath, my mind and the game of baseball slowed down tremendously. Breathing went from something I believed my body just did involuntarily, to something I consciously performed daily. It was so vital to my game, that I had the word BREATHE stitched into my wristband, as a constant reminder to take a moment and inhale and exhale.
So what exactly does proper breathing do for you? Many things, but most importantly your brain and muscles get more oxygen from your lungs, which leads to increased focus, alertness, and responsiveness.
It’s human tendency to hold our breath or breathe shallow when performing difficult tasks, so it's vital to be conscious of your breathing. When faced with a situation where your breathing becomes difficult, the key is to try and slow it down by taking deep breaths. This can help ease nerves, and alleviate the challenge of the task you're performing.
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