The Science Behind Deep Breathing and Relaxation

When you're stressed or anxious, your body enters a state of 'fight or flight.' In contrast, deep, mindful breathing can help your body transition to a state of relaxation. This change happens because deep breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, a key player in your body's parasympathetic nervous system, which controls rest and digestion.

Healing Trauma with Breath

For those recovering from trauma, particularly trauma that's impacted the central nervous system, deep breathing can be a game-changer. It's a way of signaling to your body that it's safe to relax and start the healing process. A study published in the 'Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine' found that survivors of physical trauma who practised deep, mindful breathing showed significant improvements in symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Practical Breathing Exercises for Relaxation and Healing

Let me share with you a simple yet effective deep breathing exercise that I often recommend. It's called 'Box Breathing.'

Box Breathing

1. Exhale all the air in your lungs through your mouth.
2. Close your mouth and quietly inhale through your nose to a mental count of four.
3. Hold your breath for a count of four.
4. Exhale through your mouth for a count of four.
5. Hold your breath for a count of four.
6. Repeat the process.

By practicing these exercises daily, you can tap into the innate power of your breath, promoting relaxation and facilitating healing.

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