You can regulate your emotional and mental state if you regulate your breathing.
Have you experienced shortness of breath, feeling disconnected, a background feeling of dread or chesty breathing? If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, then you are not alone, as they are all common anxiety symptoms brought on by so many different factors. Anxiety is a normal response to stress and challenging times. What makes us anxious differs for each of us, but we all share the symptoms.
Coherent breathing is a powerful tool for regulation. Here’s why.
Coherent breathing is a steady breath of six counts on the inhalation and the exhalation. You can do this to chimes or counting. This stable breathing pattern helps your autonomic nervous system to find balance by activating “flight or fight” (sympathetic nervous system) and “rest and digest” (parasympathetic nervous system) in a consistent and controlled way. When we breathe in this stable way, our heart rate synchronises with our breath, which can bring on a state of inner calm. Your body can feel the benefits from a single practice within minutes, and if practised consistently over time, the feeling of being emotionally balanced can filter out of the practice and into your everyday life.
My coherent breathing practice is an essential part of my well-being toolkit for mindfully moving in our world. It helps me better journey through and process difficult times and fully be in moments of joy.
Try this 12-minute coherent breathing practice from our YouTube channel.
