The Benefits of BreathworkÂ
Curious about breathwork? You’re not alone! Breathwork involves conscious control and manipulation of breathing patterns, utilizing the breath as a tool to positively impact one’s overall state of being. Breathwork has grown in popularity over the years due largely to how it has been known to enhance one’s physical and mental wellbeing. Physically, breathwork can improve oxygenation, increase lung capacity, and reduce stress-related symptoms including blood pressure. Mentally, breathwork can promote relaxation, help reduce anxiety, and enhance mental clarity and focus.
So how does one start a breathwork practice? Truthfully, it can look different for everyone! This week, we’re highlighting a handful of resources to help you better understand the positive effects of breathwork and provide tips for sustaining a long-term practice.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BREATHWORK
How Breathwork Can Help Ease Anxiety & 7 Exercises to Start With
by Gwen Dittmar M.A.
When we engage in deep and rhythmic breathing, we activate the vagus nerve, turn on our parasympathetic nervous system, and pump the brakes on anxiety and stress. There are many types of breathwork techniques that can have this calming and fortifying effect on the body.
Box Breathing for Anxiety and Stress
Meditation Minis PodcastÂ
Eyes open, or closed. Here’s a quick and simple breathing meditation technique you can use in even the most anxiety-filled moments. It’s also a great one to teach to your kids. In addition to the audio instructions you can also add a physical movement by tracing a square in the air in front of you.
Listen to the 7-Minute Podcast
Breathe
by Belisa Vranich Ph.D.Â
In a fascinating, straightforward, jargon-free exploration of how our bodies were meant to breathe, Dr. Belisa Vranich delves into the ins and outs of proper breathing. By combining both anatomy and fitness with psychology and mindfulness. Dr. Vranich gives readers a way of solving health problems at the crux and healing themselves from the inside out.
Nervous System Reset: Guided Breathwork
by Inward Breathwork
In this video, you can learn how to consciously turn on heavy stress for short bursts, specifically so that we can turn it off and spend the rest of our days and nights relaxing and restoring. You’ll learn how to give your nervous system a full reset.
ASSESSMENT
What’s Your Meditation Style?
Meditation is a powerful tool—it can be used to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression and chronic pain, and also improve energy, attention and focus, and positive feelings. When you hear the word ‘meditation’, you may picture someone sitting cross-legged in an enclosed space or maybe even chanting. But, did you know that you can meditate while walking, eating, lying down, or even exercising? In other words, you don’t have to sit still to enjoy the benefits of meditation!
Whether you are new to meditation or want to add something new to your ongoing practice, take this assessment to find out what styles of meditation are right for you! Afterward, check out our recommended resources for different ways to practice them.
