How better breathing improves our wellbeing
October is Mental Health Month. Our Director and the Founder of our partner business Breathworkx Melinda Smith shares the many benefits of undertaking conscious and intentional breathing - aka breathwork - to improve mental wellbeing. She shares ways to overcome the barriers to starting your own breathing practice.
Breathing is an involuntary process that sustains life. It is literally the first and last thing we do in our lifetime. When practiced consciously and intentionally it can yield profound benefits for our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
When it comes to supporting our mental health, conscious breathing techniques reduce stress levels. Deep, rhythmic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, neutralising the stress response and promoting relaxation.
The many benefits of conscious breathing
Mindful breathing can
improve focus and concentration
enhance attention span
reduce distractions.
Regular healthy breathing practices have been linked to boosting cognitive function by improving memory, problem-solving, and creativity.
Deep breathing can stimulate the release of feel-good hormones such as endorphins and serotonin which elevate mood and reduce anxiety. Physical health benefits include lowering blood pressure which significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Conscious breathing can stimulate digestion and alleviate symptoms such as bloating and constipation.
Focused breathing exercises increase oxygen intake, which lifts energy levels and stamina. Deep breathing can help regulate and strengthen our immune system, making it better equipped to fight off illness.
Increased self-awareness is a key emotional benefit of mindful breathing. This fosters a greater connection to our body and mind which helps develop emotional intelligence.
Healthy breathing helps to manage disrupted sleep patterns, improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia.
Regular breathing practices can increase resilience to stress and adversity and enhance emotional regulation. We can learn how to better manage our emotions and respond to challenges with greater composure instead of reacting in the moment.
How do I start my own breathing practice?
Begin with identifying, and then overcoming, any barriers, negative perceptions, beliefs or excuses which would prevent you from adopting a regular practice into a daily routine.
To combat common (often unconscious) obstacles there are simple and effective strategies you can use to make a five to ten minute breathing session part of your daily routine.
Lack of awareness is a familiar issue with many people simply unaware of the potential and profound benefits of breathwork. Self-education to increase your knowledge and awareness can be gained by exploring research articles, books, blogs and podcasts on the subject.
Time constraint perceptions can limit any aspirations. People often claim a lack of time as a barrier. However, just a few minutes of healthy breathing each day can make a significant difference.
Difficulty concentrating may challenge the idea of taking time to completely focus on your breathing patterns. Take a deep breath and know that guided breathing exercises and meditation can help you to increase your ability to focus better.
Fear of the unknown about conscious breathing; what it is and what it does can be intimidating for those who are unfamiliar with concentrating on their breath cycle. Starting with simple techniques can help alleviate these fears.
Belief in involuntary breathing as in “I don’t have any say or control in my breathing”. Complementary to our natural involuntary process, conscious breathing practices involve a deeper understanding around learning how to regulate our own breathing patterns.
Overcoming any personal hurdles or barriers requires self-education, motivation, commitment, and a willingness to experiment and have a go!
By introducing breathwork into your daily life you too can experience the many benefits to support and strengthen your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing – one inhale and exhale at a time.
Click here find out more about Melinda’s workplace seminars and programs to introduce people to the power of breathwork.