We’re all about breathing correctly or consciously for our health and well-being. All living things have a basic need for energy, even though we are aware of this. Breathing is essential to life since it symbolises the significance of being alive.
Breathing is the process of allowing the body to absorb oxygen. Approximately 90% of our biochemical and metabolic processes need oxygen. As a result, using the proper insufflation method is critical if we are to get enough oxygen into our brains and bodies. However, how attentive are you to the rate at which you exhale?
It doesn’t matter whether stress is more subtle, manifesting as high blood pressure and digestion problems in the body, or more outwardly visible. The list of symptoms is long, and many people wouldn’t recognise them as stress-related symptoms if they saw them. Ignoring these symptoms may lead to disease and worse difficulties.
Long-term stress impairs our ability to perform well at work and increases our time away from it, partly because it weakens our immune system. Stress affects our everyday lives and the lives of those around us in a variety of ways. Even if living in a stressful state has become the new normal for most people, basic breathwork practices may still make a tremendous impact. Clients typically notice those benefits immediately.
The Art of Breathing: A Guide to Breathwork
‘Spirit’ comes from the Latin word spiritus, which translates to “breath.” Spirit and breath are intertwined in many other languages, too. Akin to what’s used in both Hebrew (Ruach) and Greek (spirituality) (pneuma meaning “air, soul, breath”). Your chi (qi), prana, or lifeforce energy manifests itself physically in your breath.
To maintain good health, you must practice mindful breathing. The power of deep, deliberate breathing may be unleashed. When we practice good breathing techniques, we can better connect with our spiritual selves and maintain our composure throughout the day.
In addition, it may guide a person’s overall health, including their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It reduces tension and anxiety, energises the body, preserves vibrational energy, and enables deeper self-introspection when one inhales air mindfully.
Breathwork is a centuries-old practice that may be utilised to improve one’s health in the current world. Breathwork may be practised, for example, by going for a stroll in the morning and inhaling some fresh air.
Practising breathwork at the workplace is an excellent method to improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being in a straightforward and approachable manner. Regular breathwork sessions have been shown in a growing body of scientific research to help workers in various ways, including relaxation, increased energy, improved self-esteem, and stress management abilities. As a result of a well-functioning neurological system, there is less absenteeism and increased communication.
The following are some of the advantages of breathwork:
- Increased vigour
- Creativity and problem-solving skills have improved.
- Improved concentration and awareness
- Relaxation
- Blood pressure is lowered.
- A better night’s rest
- Anxiety and despair are lessened.
- Lessening of discomfort
- Heart rate variability has improved.
- The vagus nerve has been tuned up.
- A higher level of resistance to stress
- The control of the nervous system (measurable drop in Cortisol levels)
- Improved digestion and immunity
- The capacity to better control one’s emotions
- The capacity to cope with stress is boosted.
Types of Breathwork
In the workplace, you may encourage several sorts of breathwork:
Types-of-Breathwork
1. Pranayama
Prana and Ayama are two Sanskrit terms that form the phrase pranayama. “Ayama” means “to expand or pull out.” “Prana” means “life energy or breath supporting the body.” Breathing extension and control are synonymous terms. Anxiety causes shallow, fast breathing that isn’t consciously controlled. The body also creates adrenaline and cortisol, which raise the heart rate and blood pressure. It also sharpens your mental focus.
2. Rebirthing Breathwork
One of the most important aspects of rebirthing is its ability to link one’s subconscious mind to one’s conscious mind via breathing. Issues, pain, and challenges related to well-being might be alleviated internally with assistance. In addition, it is a simple instrument for enhancing happy feelings. Leonard Orr developed and polished the Rebirthing Breathwork method in the 1970s. If used properly, this method may lead to a life of excellence, optimism, affluence, and spiritual and intellectual openness.
3. Holotropic
Holotropic breathwork is the most effective method for improving emotional agility and personal well-being. During the procedure, the body’s carbon dioxide and oxygen levels are regulated via rapid breathing. Practising this method while listening to relaxing music might be beneficial.
Participants in breathwork treatment reported a substantial decrease in death dread and an improvement in self-esteem, according to 1996 research.
As many as 11,000 persons aged 12 and older who had taken the holotropic breathwork sessions in 2013 recommended addressing mental and life issues. In addition, research conducted in 2015 indicated that holotropic breathing aided in the most excellent possible development of self-awareness.
You may use it to help yourself recover by managing and speeding up your breath. A holistic approach to self-awareness allows for developing and eliminating psychological well-being factors that impact general body performance.
4. BioDynamics
Gitan Tonkov, the originator of the BioDynamic Breathwork, said, “People grow more capable of enabling others to do the same. It’s not academically grounded information. Space and relaxation in your physical body are the foundations of this practice.
Based on somatic therapy, Tonkov’s BioDynamic and trauma-release approach incorporates breath, mindful movement, energy, and massage into a holistic treatment plan. Both the mind and the body are involved in biodynamic breathwork.
This includes the five senses of breath, movement, sound, touch, and emotion. Through deep breathing, tissue/muscle release, fluid mobility, and energy purification, the internal system is balanced, and you may lead a deeper life.
This method retains trauma in emotional patterns, persistent stress, and sickness. Various techniques are used in this kind of treatment, including deep breathing, vocalisation, whole-body shaking, and dancing.
5. Wim Hof
Wim Hof, or The Iceman, is a well-known extreme athlete recognised for his prowess in dealing with subzero conditions. He has set a new record for the longest time spent in an ice bath. His self-created methods may help the human body withstand physical and mental stress.
To apply Wim Hof’s approach, you must do ‘controlled hyperventilation or power breathing,’ in which you breathe rhythmically in and out. Your inner soul will be awakened by practising the Wim Hof Method. The next step is to hold your breath for a certain period. As part of Wim Hof’s method, there are three foundational elements:
- breathing
- ice treatment
- commitment
Breathing exercises developed by Wim Hof may help you relax, calm your nervous system, and alter your body’s and mind’s reactions.
Exercising Your Breath Has Never Been This Easy!
Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose while you do this. Relax your shoulders, too. Exhale via your mouth, keeping your jaws relaxed slowly and steadily. To return to a state of awareness, repeat the practice as often as necessary until it becomes second nature.
As a starting point, do the following actions each day to activate your breath:
- Learn easy breathing methods, such as coherent breathing or 3-4-5 breathing, to improve your overall well-being
- Join the Breathing Club and learn how to breathe in a group with the help of a trained expert.
- Your professional and personal lives will benefit from your increased breath awareness and knowledge of the subconscious content that influences you.
- Make use of methods of embodiment such as grounding, stretching, and yoga to help you stay connected to your body;
- Make it a habit to practice everyday meditation;
- A daily practice of deep diaphragmatic breathing should be done away from electronic devices.
- Remind your coworkers to breathe by taking a deep inhale and exhale into your voice.
Using Breathwork in the Workplace to Improve Employee Well-Being
In the workplace, employee health and well-being are the most important considerations. Better job performance is more likely among those in good health on all these fronts. Poor lifestyle choices, such as stress, affect one’s capacity to perform at the highest level at work. In addition, every company must assist its workers who are experiencing difficulties.
It is possible to do this by using a breathwork technique. Begin the day with breathwork or provide mindfulness meditation workshops to workers to improve their mental health. In this manner, they will be able to begin their work day in a peaceful and relaxed state, even amid a stressful work environment.
Tips for Practicing Breathwork at Work
The following steps are advised for improved attention, creativity, and relaxation:
- After everyone has arrived, do a 5-minute breathing session.
- Allow staff to take short rests between tasks.
- Stress the significance of mindfulness in the workplace.
- Maintain an open area for staff to breathe and relax.
- Create a biophilic workplace.
- Create a little meditation chamber.
Staff must have internet connectivity to participate in online group sessions, whether at an office sitting at a desk, or working from home. Because the effects are cumulative, the more these methods are used, the deeper the changes become; therefore, frequent sessions are advised. Employees are encouraged and motivated to complete their assignments and develop resilience via regular sessions.
Wrapping It Up
Companies nowadays have grown more open-minded and are giving modern solutions to better the lives of their workers to stay up with the trend and emphasise the need to look at personal well-being issues in addition to the job.