Breathing Techniques to Get Through Halloween Candy Cravings

Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year. Which means you get not just one day but a weekend full of costumes, parties, and of course sweet calorie-filled treats. Don’t fret Expand-A-Lung has some simple breathing techniques to trick your mind away from the urge to dive into that giant chocolate filled bowl.

You probably have a relatively consistent time of day where that urge for something sweet is stronger than others. This would be the perfect time to stop and breathe. One of the breathing techniques that you can use to begin with is starting with just three minutes at a time even at the office it should be easy to find three minutes of privacy. If your cravings are overpowering you may gradually work up to 30 minutes a day of breathing meditation. Let’s start simple.

Try and find a private space where you can sit cross-legged on the ground. If you can set the mood to relax the mind. Dim the lights, light a candle, place a pillow or a block under your seat bones if that’s more comfortable for you. If you have an Expand-A-Lung use the device on the lowest setting to help elongate your inhales and your exhales without fully engaging your diaphragm as you want to avoid fatigue. Place the Expand-A-Lung in your mouth and inhale deeply through the mouthpiece. Hold your breath for a moment, and release the exhale slowly through the mouthpiece. If you don’t have an Expand-A-Lung you can try alternate nostril breathing, but you will need to focus on trying to keep your inhales and exhales even. For alternate nostril breathing, you will want to bring your right hand to your face. Index finger and middle finger will rest on your third eye (center of your forehead) and you will close your right nostril with your thumb as you inhale. Hold. Release your right nostril as you close your left nostril with your ring finger and exhale out your right nostril. Repeat this pattern alternating sides.

As you breathe with either your Expand-A-Lung or the alternate nostril breathing technique try to let go of any thoughts cluttering your mind and focus only on the breath. It may help to close your eyes or play something relaxing instrumental music in the background. As this breathing exercise become more routing you will notice it will start to take less time to get into a meditative state, but be patient. We live in a world of information overload and the first few times it may take a while to turn off your thoughts and cravings. Once you’ve completed your breathing exercise you should feel that craving dissipate. If you have an issue with chronic eating that goes beyond Halloween you should try doing this breathing exercise daily for three consecutive months. It is likely you can break the habit completely.

It’s ok to indulge yourself with an occasional treat but if you find yourself knee deep Halloween clearance candy, it may be time to stop and breathe.