A simple exercise that can help you lower your cortisol level, and that is fulfilled in 32 seconds, anyone? This exercise is easy, take a deep breath counting four seconds. Never stop your breath, exhale slowly now, even, counting four seconds. Repeat until it makes a total of 32 seconds. Good at math? 😉
By controlling your breathing, it is possible to break the cycle of the physical effects of stress, giving a contradictory signal to your brain. This is what we call cardiac coherence and was first developed by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber.
Controlling your breathing helps to regularize your heart rate and thus standardize the operation of the brain. This will improve your general homeostasis. Repeat it every time you feel your stress levels increase. Can you afford to take 32 seconds for you? I hope so!
© Jean-François Desrosby D.Mus, 2019
Biomechanics and performance psychology for musicians and guitarists 