Our 5 Days officially starts tomorrow, on 2/14. And, our exercise is set up to do upon waking, in bed. So, I thought I’d get this info to ya tonight. You’ll find the link below.
Real quick tho, I want ya to know that I picked VDay to kick-off this breathwork session specifically to focus on our heart health —> heart disease is a leading cause of death here in the US. And even if it doesn’t kill ya, it can cause enormous burdens on your life and those you love. Plus, the various types of heart disease often go undetected, creating damage in your body’s systems.
Focused, controlled breathing (along with other lifestyle choices) can greatly impact our physical wellbeing. And those benefits directly help our heart. Because breathing is right at the edge of conscious control, you can actually take over and control your breath, affecting your overall physiology and stress response.
Physical health benefits of breathwork may include:
- Balanced blood pressure
- More time in deep sleep
- Reduction of PTSD and feelings of trauma
- Stronger respiratory function
- Better immune system
- Release of stress hormones from your body
Emotional benefits may include:
- Fewer feelings of depression and anxiety
- Better mental focus
- Decrease in addictive behaviors
- Allowing emotional scars to heal
- Better outlook on life
- Contentment and joy
“Controlled breathing exercises may have a more rapid, more direct effect on physiology than mindfulness. We wanted to see whether a quicker intervention, repeated for just five minutes over the course of 30 days, could still have lasting effects. Controlled breathwork seems to be a straightforward way to lower physiological arousal and regulate your mood.”
Dr. David Spiegel
Not to mention, you can do breathing exercises FOR FREE almost anytime, any place. Over the next five days, we’ll explore a few of my tried and trues.
And while breathing is simple, breath *work* is powerful. And, it’s helpful to have guidance, encouragement and a nudge to do something that we mostly do without any thought. The ability to focus on your breath is not dissimilar to a muscle. And like any muscle, it takes a some discomfort and effort to build.
So, I ask that you be gentle with yourself. Set aside judgement and allow some willingness to learn. Sure you know how to breathe. But do you consistently breathe with focus? Let’s take some time together to build that habit and reap the benefits.
Are there any downsides to controlled breathwork? Sure, there are a few. You might feel dizzy a time or two. Some breathing exercises are so relaxing you may not want to do them while driving. And some are so invigorating, you don’t want to do them at night. I’ve also combined the breath with movement on a few of the days; those moves may not be right for your body. Or, you might prefer a modification or support. Breathwork and movement are infinitely customizable; it will all work out!
If you do feel dizzy, tingling in your arms and legs, or other effects, consider stopping the breathwork. This is self-paced. No obligation. And you should always check in with your healthcare team if you have concerns.
