Think you’re too busy to add breathwork to your schedule? Think again.
Breathwork has the luxury of being practiced virtually anywhere, from your kitchen counter while you prep dinner to your work desk as you prepare for your next meeting.
Whether you are climbing the corporate ladder, a stay-at-home parent, or wondering what to do with all your time as a retiree, the benefits of a breathwork regime can profoundly impact and enrich your life.
Why Breathwork?
The busier we are, the more we should prioritize our health and well-being. However, it seems the more we have on our plates, the harder it is to find the time.
Breathwork can help keep our bodies happy and healthy, and you can see the benefits in as little as 3 minutes a day!
Stress is one of the main causes of diseases and ailments. Breathwork is thought to help reduce stress, lessen chronic pain, lower blood pressure, and reduce anxiety and depression.
The best part is breathwork can be practiced by just about anyone and anywhere!
What Do I Need To Practice Breathwork?
Since breathwork requires virtually no equipment, you can practice almost anywhere. In general, all you need is to wear comfortable clothes and a solid spot to sit or lie down on. Some people sit on the floor with a yoga mat, meditation cushions, or pillows. Others like the stability of a chair. Even an office chair works great.
Where Can I Practice Breathwork?
In the shower or bath
At your kitchen table before starting your meal
Outdoors on a bench
Sitting on your couch before turning on the television
At your cubicle, waiting for a meeting to begin
In your bed before going to sleep
Practically anywhere
Guided breathwork classes help you navigate breathwork exercises at your own speed and on your own time, making it simple to add breathwork into even your busiest days.
Breathwork Techniques for the Busy Bee
Luckily, breathwork sessions don’t need to be long to be beneficial. In fact, many of the exercises are repeated only three to five times and usually take less than 5 minutes to complete. But where can you find the time?
Deep Breathing in the Morning
Deep breathing is one of the simplest breathwork techniques to do. It calls for the practitioner to focus solely on their exaggerated breath while ensuring the body gets a high dose of oxygen.
This technique can be practiced as soon as you sit up in bed, while you wait for your coffee maker to beep, or in your car before driving to work.
Take a deep breath through your nose. You want to ensure that your lungs are filled, and you will feel your stomach expand. Next, open your mouth and slowly exhale until your lungs are empty. Now, repeat three times.
Lion’s Breath at Lunch
Have a bad boss or kids who keep climbing on you? Are you touched out midway through the day? Lion’s breath is the perfect midday pick-me-up.
Lion’s breath is great for stress relief and a burst of energy halfway through your day. This technique can get loud, so it’s best to close your office door or go to your car before practicing.
Inhale deeply through your nose, similar to the way you do in deep breathing. Once your lungs have reached capacity, open your mouth as wide as you can and exhale with force. You will end up making a roaring sound similar to a lion.
While the exercise only takes a few minutes, you will feel the benefits immediately and walk back into your day with energy, relieved stress, and a clear mind ready to tackle whatever the day throws.
5 5 5 Technique at Bedtime
Relaxing or calming down is essential at the end of the day. After all, if we don’t destress and decompress, our day can follow us into our sleep, creating a restless night. Often, we grab our phones and begin doomscrolling before drifting off. But if we spent 5 minutes before bedtime focusing on our breath, we could set ourselves up for a relaxing and restful night.
The 5 5 5 technique is perfect for a bedtime routine. You can even practice it lying down, tucked in your warm, comfy bed.
Wellness Break
Taking care of our mental health doesn’t always need us to book exotic wellness breaks, even though they are a fantastic way to destress and leave your troubles behind. However, when the spa retreat is out of reach, breathwork can give you a mini wellness break throughout your day in as little as 3 minutes.
To Conclude
Whether you’re deep breathing at your breakfast table, practicing lion’s breath between meetings, or winding down with the 5 5 5 method, there’s no shortage of the benefits you’ll see and feel. Even the busiest bees need to slow down and breathe.
About the Author
Niraj Naik is a certified pharmacist turned holistic health and breathwork expert, professional musician, serial entrepreneur, founder of Soma Breath, and one of the world’s most sought-after spiritual ceremony facilitators.
SomaBreath.com | NirajNaik.com | TheRenegadePharmacist.com
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