Why does Breathwork work?
Posted On January 26, 2023
Breathwork is not just a simple process of inhaling and exhaling, it's an art of mastering one's breath to tap into the body's natural healing power. It's like having a secret weapon to improve your physical and mental well-being. But why does it work?
[1] Breathwork is believed to work because it influences the body's autonomic nervous system, which controls many of the body's automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. Think of your body as a powerful machine, with the autonomic nervous system as the engine that controls all its automatic functions. Now imagine having a switch that can change the way this engine runs. That's where breathwork comes in, by giving you the ability to switch between the two main branches of the autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
[2] The Sympathetic nervous system is like the gas pedal, it activates the "fight or flight" response, making your heart race, and preparing you for action. On the other hand, the [3] Parasympathetic nervous system is like the brakes, it activates the "rest and digest" response, slowing down your heart rate, and bringing a feeling of calm to your body. Breathwork can help you switch between these two states by manipulating your breath in different ways.
For example,[4] slow and deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing a feeling of relaxation and reducing stress on your body. This is similar to taking a relaxing bath or reading a good book, but you can do it anytime, anywhere.
On the other hand,[5] rapid or forceful breathing, can activate the Sympathetic nervous system, giving you an energy boost and increasing your focus and alertness. This is like having a cup of coffee, but instead of caffeine, you're using your breath to wake yourself up.
[6] Breathwork can also affect the limbic system, the emotional brain, which is thought to be the cause of many mental health conditions. This can help to regulate emotions, improve self-awareness, and emotional regulation. It's like having a personal therapist that you can access anytime, anywhere.
Overall, the practice of breathwork is believed to work by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and influencing the body's ANS and limbic system, which in turn has a positive effect on both physical and mental well-being. And the best part, you don't have to take my word for it, give it a try and experience the benefits for yourself.
Resources Links:
[1] B, B. (2021, January 12). The Science Behind Breathwork. Backline. https://backline.care/science-breathwork/
[2] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023, January 11). Sympathetic nervous system | Definition & Function. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/sympathetic-nervous-system
[3] Nall, R. M. (2020, April 23). Your Parasympathetic Nervous System Explained. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parasympathetic-nervous-system
[4] Russo, M. A., Santarelli, D. M., & O’Rourke, D. (2017). The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human. Breathe, 13(4), 298–309. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.009817
[5] Gerbarg, P. L., MD, & Brown, R. P., MD. (2020, November 16). Neurobiology and Neurophysiology of Breath Practices in Psychiatric Care. Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/neurobiology-and-neurophysiology-breath-practices-psychiatric-care
Dutfield, S., & Lanese, N. (2022, February 9). Fight or flight: The sympathetic nervous system. livescience.com. https://www.livescience.com/65446-sympathetic-nervous-system.html
[6] Conscious breathing and the limbic system – DeanRamsden.Com. (n.d.). https://deanramsden.com/conscious-breathing-and-the-limbic-system/
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