What's the deal with the breathing anyways..

A growing number of studies show that breathing techniques are effective against anxiety and insomnia. These techniques influence both physiological factors (by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system) and psychological factors (by diverting attention from thoughts). Because these techniques are safe and easy to use, scientific validation might result in their being more frequently recommended and practiced.

In fact, every relaxation, calming or meditation technique relies on breathing, which may be the lowest common denominator in all the approaches to calming the body and mind. Research into basic physiology and into the effects of applying breath-control methods lends credence to the value of monitoring and regulating our inhalations and exhalations.

Interesting fact – breath is the only function of the autonomic nervous system that we are able to control. Your body can breathe without your conscious control over it but you are also able to slow down or speed up your breath if you wish to. We are not able to change the heart rate or pupillary response – we can only control the breath, so it is our bridge to the autonomous system and therefore the key to move us between parasympathetic and sympathetic response – between stress & relaxation.

‘Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance, rejuvenate internal organs, halt snoring, allergies, asthma and autoimmune disease, and even straighten scoliotic spines’ ~ Breath. The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor.

We can see a growing number of Breathing coaches who teach us how to breathe; for example the famous Wim Hof method, in yoga we have the pranayama practice. I am not trying to point you to the right method of breathing , you have to find the best for yourself. The most important thing is to realize - how do you breathe when you are stressed and when you are relaxed. Just notice your breath and make use of it, because it’s a great tool which does not cost you anything and can bring so much more ZEN into your life!

The challenge today is to observe the breath. You should do the following lie down or sit up straight and place one hand onto your belly and one onto your chest. Start breathing deeply – meaning lifting both hands with the power of your breath – belly and chest should be moving in the process up and down. The movement should be visible.

Challenge is to count 27 breaths, starting from 27, 26, 25…. Up until 0. Whenever you realize your mind has drifted away you have to start counting from the beginning (27,26,25…etc.). – how many times did you have to start from the beginning? How did it feel to just breathe, did your mind switch off in the process or was very active?