There is no doubt we live in a world that goes faster than our minds and bodies can even handle.
We women, wear many hats (caretakers, moms, professionals) -life can become overwhelming and exhausting. We often put ourselves last with so many demands.
We got it backward. We can be everything to everyone to some extent, but FIRST! We need to take care of ourselves.
Tell me…How do you think you are going to have the energy to play with your kids, and have mental clarity when your life is chaos, and every minute is packed with demands but self-care is not on your list?
I got good news for you! Let me introduce you to breathwork, simple, free yet effective self-care that we can all do.
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is a general term used to describe any type of therapy that utilizes breathing exercises to improve mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Our breath brings oxygen into our lungs after breathing and then travels throughout our body and reaches every cell in the body. Oxygen is vital for oxidizing food for releasing energy and heat required for daily life tasks.
The human body has natural, built-in self-healing mechanisms and oxygen can help boost those processes.
When we are physically or emotionally stressed or adopt a poor posture for long periods, this definitely affects how we breathe. Our breath tends to become fast and shallow. This limits the oxygen entering our bloodstream. Our brain tells our body that there is a threat, and our body responds in fight or flight. When we take time to slow down and purposefully breathe deeply and slowly, we tell our brain that everything is OK. Our brain communicates to our body that it’s safe to relax. The fight or flight response decreases, and our body can begin to function normally again.
Sometimes we even raise our shoulders to take a breath, using the wrong muscles, therefore, creating tension on our neck and shoulders. I see it every day in my massage practice.
The benefits of breathwork have been long studied:
What are some breathwork techniques you can use to get the above benefits?
Diaphragmatic breathing
4-7-8 breathing
This technique was developed by Dr. Andrew Weil.
Square breathing
Tips to get started and to keep going
Don’t let pain or stress overtake your life. Slow down and breathe intentionally. You are alive, aren’t you?
Learn to pause and become aware of the sources of the stressors in your life, and give these exercises a try. Breathwork can be pivotal to prevent stress from accumulating and turning into burnout.
I know we have lots to manage and balance, but learning to take care of yourself must always be a priority. Don’t you agree? Now you have a good start on how to make that happen!
Let’s breathe…and let me know how is this working for you.
Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read online.