Introduction

Capitalizing on your breath can serve as a potent stress-relieving strategy. Engage in breathing exercises to mitigate symptoms associated with stress, anxiety, and depression.

During times of duress, your mind can be plagued by past regrets or future anxieties. But remember, you already have a readily available and cost-free method at your disposal to combat stress – your breath.

Breathing exercises can immensely help you to connect more profoundly with your mind, body, and spirit. Mindful breathing, also known as yogic breathing, can act as a tether to keep you grounded in the present. Moreover, it enables you to experience and understand your emotions’ energy, particularly those uncomfortable ones you may tend to evade.

In periods of stress, mindful breathing enables you to transform and dispel negative energy rather than retaining it in your body. This is crucial because accumulated energy often reveals itself as muscle tension and other physical afflictions.

Moreover, breathwork offers additional advantages. It can heighten alertness, increase oxygen circulation, and facilitate your body’s detoxification process. Although breathing is an innate process, it is also a skill that can be honed.

 

Breathing Styles

Breathing fundamentally falls into two categories:

• Chest breathing involves the secondary muscles in your upper chest. This type of breathing is intended for situations requiring high exertion, like running a race. During stress, you might unconsciously resort to chest breathing, potentially leading to tight muscles in your neck and shoulders, or even headaches. Persistent stress can exacerbate these symptoms.
• Diaphragmatic breathing originates from the body’s primary breathing muscle – the diaphragm. This form of breathing is more efficient and effective, inducing a sense of relaxation instead of tension.

 

Practicing Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing is a wonderful tool to alleviate stress. To begin, either solo or with a partner, follow the instructions below:

Find a comfortable position. Close your eyes and direct your attention to your body and breath.

Take a deep breath in through your nose, letting your abdomen fill with air, expanding out softly. Release all the air through your nose as you exhale.

Place one hand on your abdomen, just under your navel, and the other hand on your upper chest. Inhale and exhale deeply through your nose. Savor the cool sensation of the incoming air and the warm sensation of outgoing breath.

With each in and out breath through your nose, strive to shift your breath so the rising and falling are more noticeable in your abdomen than your chest. In essence, aim to move the hand on your abdomen more than the one on your chest. Draw a deep breath through your nose, channelling it to the back of your throat and down to your belly. Let your abdomen slowly contract as you exhale through your nose.

Repeat this process for three more slow, deep breaths, focusing consciously on the rhythmic rise and fall of your abdomen. Continue to breathe deeply and fully, entrusting your body to regulate the breath as it becomes slower and more relaxed.

The advantages of deep breathing transcend immediate stress mitigation. Numerous studies have discovered that deep, yogic breathing can harmonize the autonomic nervous system, which manages involuntary body functions like temperature regulation and bladder control. This can alleviate symptoms of stress-related disorders and mental health issues, including anxiety, general stress, depression, and PTSD.

 

Lastly, ponder over this quote from Donna Farhi’s “The Breathing Book: Good Health and Vitality Through Essential Breath Work” to comprehend the significance of your own breath: “Breathing is one of the simplest things in the world. We breathe in, we breathe out. When we breathe with real freedom, we neither grasp for nor hold on to the breath. The process of breathing is the most accurate metaphor we have for the way that we personally approach life, how we live our lives and how we react to the inevitable changes that life brings us.”

 

Getting Help

Online therapy, also known as teletherapy or virtual counselling, is a revolutionary approach to mental health support that harnesses the power of technology. Through secure video conferencing platforms, individuals can connect with licensed therapists and receive professional counselling services from the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Online therapy offers a range of benefits, including increased accessibility, flexibility in scheduling, and the ability to engage in therapy from any location. It provides a safe and confidential space for individuals to address their emotional and psychological concerns, offering support and guidance for a wide range of mental health issues. With the advancement of online therapy, seeking help for mental well-being has become more convenient and attainable for individuals seeking support.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the practice of focusing on our breath to reduce stress is a simple yet powerful tool that is accessible to everyone. By incorporating conscious breathing techniques into our daily lives, we can cultivate a deeper connection with our mind, body, and spirit. Breathwork not only helps to alleviate stress and anxiety but also offers a myriad of additional benefits, such as increased alertness, improved oxygen flow, and enhanced overall well-being. Whether it’s through diaphragmatic breathing or other mindful breathing exercises, we have the ability to tap into the transformative potential of our breath and experience profound positive changes in our mental and emotional state. So, take a moment to inhale deeply, exhale slowly, and let the power of your breath guide you towards a calmer, more balanced life.