You can relieve migraine headaches with Alternate Nostril Breathing.
Headaches are common
Over 38 million Americans deal with migraines, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. Some migraine studies estimate that 13 percent of adults in the U.S. population have migraines, and 2-3 million migraine sufferers are chronic. Eleven million people blame migraines for causing moderate to severe disability.
Migraine headaches impact the body and mind in many ways, some obvious and some more subtle but equally powerful.
You can relieve migraine headaches with alternate nostril breathing
It is possible to find relief from migraine and other types of headaches with this alternate nostril breathing technique to help balance the brain.
This Alternate Nostril Breathing technique helps to balance the brain and ease headaches, including migraines.
This breathing technique will calm you, center you, and energize you in a grounded way. It balances the brain and helps to clear your sinuses.
The science behind alternate nostril breathing:
You may not realize the importance of your nostrils in your body. Their power lies in the energy anatomy connected to your left and right nostril.
The left nostril is linked to the right hemisphere of the brain. Breathing through this nostril brings the abilities for calming, cooling, sensitivity, empathy, and receptivity.
The right nostril is linked to the left hemisphere of the brain. Breathing through this nostril brings warmth, alertness, higher energy, will power, and concentration abilities.
Which nostril is dominant?
For example, if throughout the day, you find that you are primarily using your right nostril, it may indicate that you are in a high state of alert or high stress. If on the other hand, you find yourself a primary left nostril breather, there may be some signs of being overly sensitive, and calm to the point of mild depression.
The key with wellness in the body is balance and alternate nostril breathing helps to balance the left and right sides of our brains and bodies. Preliminary studies show that alternate nostril breathing decreases blood pressure, increases skin conductance, an indication of sympathetic activity, and affects the heart rate.
The benefits of alternate nostril breathing include:
1) Increasing whole brain fitness and function by balancing the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and
2) Generating a deep sense of physical, mental and emotional well-being.
The Steps to Alternate Nostril Breathing:
Open your right hand and make a “U” shape out of your thumb and forefinger your thumb.
Block the right nostril with your thumb and inhale through your left nostril.
Hold the inhale briefly only long enough to switch and block the left nostril.
Block the left nostril with your forefinger and release your thumb from your right nostril.
Exhale through the right nostril, and as you continue to block the left nostril, inhale through the right nostril.
Hold the inhale briefly only long enough to switch and block your right nostril.
Block the right nostril once more and exhale through the left nostril.
Continue for 3 to 5 minutes.
Adjustments to the technique
If you find yourself right nostril dominant and your life is too stressful, then plug the right nostril and breath slowly in and out of the left for a few minutes. If you feel that your energy is lagging, close the left nostril and breath in and out of the right side for a few minutes.
For more breathing techniques to help manage stress and chronic pain, go here.
