Breathing Techniques for Relaxation
Most of us know that relaxation can reduce stress. Some try watching TV, reading, eating, etc. And these are fine, however, the mind is not always in a state of calm which also means that the body is not able to fully relax. Present-moment practices such as Meditation and yoga are some of the best for actually relaxing the body and calming the mind. Why is that? What do these modalities having common? They both involve Conscious and Focused Breathing.
Conscious, practiced breathing techniques are the best way to truly relax. Why? Certain breathing techniques can reduce stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) controls homeostasis and the body at rest and is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" function. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) controls the body's responses to a perceived threat and is responsible for the "fight, flight, or freeze" response.
So, basically, the relaxation response (parasympathetic) is the opposite of the stress response (sympathetic). With relaxation breathing techniques, you are able to slow your breathing, slow your heart rate, and decrease blood pressure. Your muscles relax, your mind becomes calmer, and endorphins are released - overriding the stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
Does this result in a feeling of wellbeing? Yes! Does this relieve stress? Absolutely! But even more than that, the present-moment practice of conscious and focused breathing has been reported by some to help alleviate chronic pain, increase memory, and help to overcome depression and anxiety… just to mention a few.
Try this simple, paced breathing style to get you started. Breathe slowly, follow the prompts. Notice it gets easier the more you practice.
When breathwork is done in tandem with the right Meditations, it can be a transforming and life changing experience. I would love to introduce you to some Conscious and Focused Breathing techniques that you can easily incorporate into your daily life.
Keep your eye on my website for the announcement of my first online Breathwork lesson (No, it’s not Ocean Breath), which I am giving free to all who sign up!
Then become a member to receive access to all of my online lessons and workshops! More detail to come on the website!.