Sales people are often on the go: prospecting, presenting, negotiating, closing, learning new products, running campaigns, managing clients, and pacifying finance and operation folks. Add all this to the pressures of company politics, KPI's and a sales target that never goes away, and it's easy to see how things can get so stressful that we forget to take time out to BREATHE.
In theory it's possible to go without food for about 3 weeks, and without water for about 3 days, before we're in serious trouble, i.e. death; however, we'll only last about 3 minutes without oxygen. Oxygen, along with water and nutrients, is absolutely critical for the trillions of cells around our bodies from our big toes to brain. It's drawn in through the nose and mouth, then pulled down into the lungs by the diaphragm, before being distributed by our blood to our cells that depend on it to function, self-repair and keep us in good working order.
Shallow breathing, which many of us do 80% of the time without even realising, means we only use about 20% of our lungs capacity. By not breathing deeply and correctly, we literally starve our cells of oxygen and therefore don't function optimally: headaches, lack of concentration, irritability and low energy, are all symptoms of a lack of oxygen. More severe symptoms can include: anxiety disorders, asthma and hyperventilating.
Take half a minute to try something out right now: Sit up in your chair, straighten your upper body, pull your shoulders back and take a really slow and deep breath through your nose, inhaling for at least a count of 6-8 seconds. Now hold it for 12 seconds...then exhale quickly via the mouth, ensuring you push every last bit of carbon dioxide out of your lungs! Feel a little light headed? That's your brain thanking you and possibly having an orgasm from all the oxygen:). Coughing anything up? That's your lungs clearing out some debris. If you couldn't manage the count of 6 and 12 seconds, you're out of shape. By breathing properly and supplying your cells with lots of oxygen throughout the day, you'll benefit from more energy, greater clarity and a sharper mind.
For tips on Correct Breathing, download the free guide: Healthy Habits.
