Deep Breathing

I never realized that most of my receive-mode is basic anxiety which is why for me it is temporarily alleviated by swimming or long walks. Anxiety causes shallow breathing. We hold back our breath when we panic. Have you ever noticed that? Part of why swimming, running, walking, bicycling, yoga, tai-chi are powerful mood lifters is because when you breathe deeply and repetitively depression anxiety are temporarily banished. A friend and fellow swimmer who is a health care professional, told me this. It makes sense to me.