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The Importance of Breathwork in Recovery

Stress and anxiety often manifest in our bodies. When you feel anxious, you may notice some physical symptoms like shaking, dry mouth, or difficulty catching your breath. Further, stressful situations can make it more difficult to regulate your breathing, as your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. Therefore, when emotional and mental regulation is difficult, we look to breathwork as a support tool.

What Is Breathwork?

Breathwork can be defined as conscious breathing techniques that are meant to ground you. In our daily lives, many of us may take things like breathing and walking for granted, as we go about these functions unconsciously. Our bodies are deeply connected to our minds and emotions. When you feel mentally unhealthy, it manifests in your body in a variety of ways, such as physical pain or hyperventilation.

Therefore, when you are aware of things like your breathing patterns, you can more deeply connect with yourself. At The Guest House, we know that making a conscious connection with your body creates a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind. That conscious connection gives you access to the parts of yourselves that are difficult to address.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Breathing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, also known as deep breathing, can support relaxation and a conscious connection to the self. As noted in an article from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, diaphragmatic breathing focuses on slower, deeper breathing from the diaphragm. With deep breathing, you focus on expanding your stomach rather than your chest as you inhale.

As a mind-body practice, diaphragmatic breathing supports building connections between how your body feels and your emotions and mental well-being. According to an article from Frontiers in Psychology, deep breathing is connected to the emotional balance and social adaption found in meditation and practices like yoga and Tai Chi Chuan. As a mind-body practice that triggers relaxation, deep breathing can support reductions in stress and improve cognitive functioning.

The Benefits of Breathwork in Recovery

Beyond diaphragmatic breathing, breathwork can have a positive impact on your mental health. As noted in an article from Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, breathwork supports psychological flexibility as slow breathing techniques relate to mind-body practices like yoga. Some of the psychological and behavioral benefits of breathwork include increased relaxation and comfort, along with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. The psychological flexibility produced in breathwork is beneficial in recovery as another tool in your toolbox to connect with yourself and process your feelings.

Breathwork at the Guest House

At The Guest House, we utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities along with breathwork like yoga and meditation to support you in building a deeper connection with your thoughts and feelings. We know breathwork can be particularly useful as a holistic approach to trauma and anxiety disorders as it calms your mind. Calming your mind declutters overwhelming negative thoughts and feelings, leaving more space for self-awareness. As a tool, breathwork can support a more conscious you in your recovery and your daily life for long-term healing.

Stress and symptoms of anxiety can feel too overwhelming to process your thoughts and emotions. With breathwork, you can use breathing techniques to help calm your mind. As a mind-body practice, breathwork helps you make a conscious connection between your body and mind to deepen your understanding of your feelings. Connecting the conscious to the difficult-to-access unconscious parts of yourself allows you to process how negative thoughts and feelings impact self-defeating behaviors. At The Guest House, we provide various therapeutic modalities like yoga to support you in your recovery. Call (855) 483-7800 to learn more.