Breathwork Meditation

I recently read an article that reminded me the practice of deep breathing and adding meditative thoughts as an exercise. We live and work in a chaotic and stressful world.

The practice of deep breathing techniques, or breathwork, has many proven physical health benefits. Numerous studies have shown its effectiveness in reducing stress and assisting with pain management, as well as reducing anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Breathing is often called the bridge between the brain and the body.

Breathing gives us a direct connection to the vagus nerve in our parasympathetic nervous system — the system that regulates our stress response. Changing our breathing by taking slow, deep breaths can directly affect the signals being sent from the vagus nerve to the brain, telling the brain that we are not in distress and easing the body’s stress response.

A new study from the German Institute of Human Nutrition. Dr. S. Parks explains: "Breathing techniques have accompanied humanity for millennia across various religions and cultures. With this study, we provide scientific proof that it is a reliable and targeted method capable of controlling our decisions."

Thus, breathing techniques represent a simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-learn option for everyday self-regulation. Moreover, they have immense potential value in clinical settings as an adjunctive, non-pharmacological strategy – for example, for conditions such as anxiety disorders or depression, which are characterized by autonomic dysregulation and altered reward perception.

By changing the pattern of our breathing, we change the pattern of the information being sent to the brain. In other words, how often, how fast, and how much you inflate your lungs directly affects the brain and how it operates.”

Just as breathing is critical to our physical health (we literally cannot live without breathing)

Want to give a Simple breathwork a try?

Begin with the breath:

Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for 5 seconds (the best way you can), then exhale slowly and fully through your mouth for 5 seconds. Repeat this a couple of times as you focus on the slow and steady rhythm of your breath.

There is no right or wrong way of doing it.

No judgement.

Breathe in deeply as you focus your thoughts on: I am enough

Exhale slowly as you focus your thoughts on: I have all that I need.

Repeat this several times, keeping your breathing slow and steady and meditating on the words. Try this breath meditation throughout the day. Meditate on the words and listen to what your intuition, higher self or the Divine creator may be telling you.

Give breath meditation a try for a few days in a row and pay attention to how they are affecting your overall mental health. It's not a cure for anxiety, nor is it a replacement for professional medical treatment or therapy, but it can be a powerful tool that benefits your physical, mental, and spiritual health. So go ahead, take a deep breath, and discover that every breath can be an invitation to your soul self.

Take care my lovelies,

Carla xo