Paula Rodriguez
For a healthy forex trading lifestyle, master easy breathing techniques for better stress management and optimal relaxation. Despite being such a simple activity, the benefits of breathing exercises are highly valuable for overall wellness as a trader. They can be effective relaxation tools when starting a day of trading, in the middle of work or when winding down at the end of the day.
Traders need to achieve mental discipline and have full control of emotions. At any given time, unexpected scenarios could arise. During moments of sudden nervousness, traders can take a moment to breathe and find focus.
With the help of breathing techniques, traders can allow the mind to remove itself from anxious thoughts and back into the present moment.
Physical benefits of breathing exercises
Over the years, the health benefits of breathing exercises are seen in both psychological to physiological well-being. According to Learn the secrets to remaining focused when trading, ancient practices like meditation and yoga are closely linked with deep breathing. This is because it encourages the mind to focus on the breath instead of unsettling thoughts.
In turn, the simple act of doing breathing exercises boosts mental strength and clarity especially during trying times. In the long run, this effective tool for emotional management can provide positive effects not just in the mind but also in bodily functions.
Apply breathing techniques for great physical benefits like:
- Improves overall performance of body functions
- Enhances blood flow for an increase of energy and stamina
- Releases endorphins to help with healing or recovery
- Encourages the body to optimize the lymphatic system and remove toxins
- Boosts immunity as it absorbs nutrients better through more distribution of oxygen
- Lowers blood pressure while regulating heart rate as you breathe and become calm
Easy breathing techniques you can practice
Enhance focus and establish a more calm state of mind through easy and effective breathing techniques. During difficulties when forex trading, encourage the body to slow down and refocus the mind towards the present.
Get to know these top breathing techniques that you can use as a relaxation tool and how you can incorporate them into your trading routine:
4-7-8 Breathing for restful sleep
Having quality sleep is vital to both physical and mental endurance when trading. In order to achieve optimal performance and cognitive function as a trader, you will need to build good sleeping habits. As you are about to rest for the night, try the 4-7-8 breathing technique for a more restful sleep.
One of the main objectives of the 4-7-8 breathing exercise is to allow the mind to refocus. This is a popular breathing technique commonly used to help someone fall asleep faster. Applying this breathing exercise will redirect distracting thoughts towards the breath.
Instead of overthinking or mind-wandering before sleep, your mind will focus on the timing, holding, and releasing your breath. Whether you apply this technique with or without the practice of meditation, allowing your body to breathe in this manner will truly help in increasing relaxation right before bedtime.
How to do the 4-7-8 breathing exercise:
- Lie on your back or in a comfortable seated position.
- Start with an exhale through the mouth.
- Inhale for 4 seconds through your nose.
- While relaxing, begin to hold your breath and count 7 seconds.
- Slowly release the breath for 8 seconds.
- Repeat the process as needed with another inhale for 4 seconds.
Daily deep breathing to practice calm
To incorporate breathing methods into your trading routine, apply deep breathing techniques on a daily basis. When you make efforts to manage your stress, you are better able to control your emotions and stay calm when trading. By doing daily deep breathing, you can keep any anxiety levels at bay.
Deep breathing is a relaxation technique that can bring about many benefits for both body and mind. Oftentimes, a stressful situation or tense feelings naturally makes a person hold the breath or breathe irregularly. At any given moment in your day, make time to simply breathe in and breathe out while trying to refrain the mind from worrying. As you practice daily breathing, you can achieve more calm as a trader.
Taking a deep breath allows more oxygen in the body, improves lung capacity, and slows down the heart rate. This will ultimately encourage the body to relax and self-heal.
Great physical benefits of deep breathing:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces tension and pain
- Detoxifies the body
- Improves blood quality through more oxygen intake
- Increases lung endurance
- Optimizes immunity and other body functions
- Lengthens and stretches the spine
Alternate nostril breathing to help manage stress levels when needed
The alternate nostril breathing exercise is another approach to relaxation combined with breathing techniques. Also known as Nadi Shodhana Pranayama or channel breathing, alternate nostril breathing is a method that can promote mindfulness and tranquility. Through the step by step practice of this exercise, you can allow the body and mind to be more present and concentrate on the technique.
This breathing technique is beneficial if you need to pull yourself out of a stressful scenario. If you feel that you need to take a break in between trading, you can use this breathing exercise as a chance to take a break and find clarity.
According to Healthline, alternate nostril breathing is a breath control practice that helps bring more awareness while also improving cardiovascular functions and respiratory endurance. Like these other breathing techniques, you will need practice and concentration.
How to perform alternate nostril breathing
- Before performing this technique, make sure that you are not feeling congested, sick, or uncomfortable.
- Sit in a comfortable position with legs crossed and eyes closed if you would like.
- While placing your left hand on your left knee or thigh, close your right nostril with your right thumb. While doing this, you may also place your right index and middle finger on the forehead.
- In the above position, take a slow and deep breath in and another slow and deep breath out.
- After you fully exhale, transfer your right hand to your right knee or thigh and repeat the breathing exercise with your left hand.
- Another way to do this breathing is to simply alternate with one hand. As you breathe in through your right nostril, exhale with your left nostril and alternate.
- Depending on your preference, you can do at least five rounds of this exercise.
- After completing the repetitions, take time to sit down and breathe normally to bring you back to your regular breath.
- While doing this technique, be sure you are not feeling uncomfortable or lightheaded. If so, you may stop doing the exercise.
Meditation and breathing for overall wellness as a trader
Widely used in ancient practices like yoga or Anapanasati from Buddhism, the harmony of meditation and breath-focused techniques are valued for its benefits in overall wellness. For centuries, these two activities go together to create a reflective and calming ritual. Whether for spirituality, physical relaxation, or mental rest, meditation and breathing are beneficial exercises that provide tranquility amidst everyday life.
When you create intention into your breathing technique, you can set up a time period where you are able to let go of any negative thoughts and focus on the present. The combination of meditation and breathing promotes balance and mindfulness towards physical and mental well being.
While you focus on your breath, you can spend this time to carefully and calmly meditate on important matters. As you breathe in and out, take the time to experience thoughts revolving around mindful self-talk, affirmations, or positive visualization.
You can also use this time to redirect your attention to your body’s state and notice any aches or pains.
Tips to achieve effective breathing exercises with meditation
- Pick a comfortable position where you feel relaxed and focused.
- Make sure you schedule this before or after work to either set a tone for the day or to help your mind wind down.
- Do your meditation and breathing exercises in a place with minimal distractions.
- Set up a calming environment by dimming the lights, playing music to help you relax and refocus or use essential oils to enhance the session.
Using the power of breathing for successful trading
Conscious breathing is one of the best ways for traders to instantly redirect any nerves and keep the mind from overthinking. With the help of breathing exercises, boost your ability to manage anxiety, and overcome stressful scenarios while trading.
There are plenty of physical and mental benefits of breathing exercises. In fact, studies in psychology show that breathing practices are effective for emotional management. By applying breathing techniques, you can maintain focus and calm while trading. Aside from the mental benefits of breathing techniques, a trader’s physical state also improves as you lower stress levels and improve your body’s ability to perform its functions.
Whether you simply do deep breathing when needed or set aside dedicated time for breath-focused meditations, this daily practice will encourage overall wellness in the long run. The fact that they are simple and effective techniques for relaxation make them great tools to have when trading.
For your body, this can improve your bodily functions due to the increase in oxygen intake. For the mind, this time frame of peace and mindfulness can reduce anxiety and build emotional endurance.