Breathwork is a great way to decrease your stress levels. Breathwork has been used for centuries for stress reduction. Yogi's and eastern practices have used the power of diaphragmic breathing as part of their practice. It was not until the '70s with Jon Kabat Zinn, and the Mind-Body Stress Reduction Clinic (MBSR) brought it mainstream. Breathwork has shown a multitude of benefits and treats multiple ailments.
Lowers harmful effects of cortisol (stress hormone) on your body.
Lowers your blood pressure and heart rate
Improves your core strength. The diaphragm is a core muscle.
Improves symptoms of PTSD
Improves digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome
Diaphragmic breathing has helped decrease anxiety and stress. Scientist has discovered that deep breathing can stimulate your vagus nerve—which controls your heart rate, breath rate, and digestive system. Stimulation of this nerve has proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and inflammation by activating the "relaxation response" of your parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is called your "rest and digest" portion of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Breathwork is a crucial element in controlling your ANS. You can do this breathing technique anytime, anywhere, to actively decrease your fight or flight response. The diaphragmic breathing technique can take time to learn. Be patient with yourself. Here is a video to help.
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