BOXROX Pro

What Happens to Your Body When You Do Breathwork Every Day for 30 Days?

Could this practice be right for you? What actually happens when you try it?

Breathwork is a practice that involves conscious control and manipulation of breathing patterns. It encompasses various techniques and styles, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and breath retention.

Why is Breathwork Effective?

Breathwork has gained popularity due to its numerous reported benefits for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The effectiveness of breathwork can be attributed to several key factors:

Regulation of the autonomic nervous system: The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling involuntary bodily functions, including breathing, heart rate, and stress responses. Conscious breathwork techniques can influence the autonomic nervous system, particularly the balance between the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches. Slow, deep breathing activates the parasympathetic system, promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and lowering heart rate and blood pressure.

Source: Ben White on Unsplash

Oxygenation and energy: Deep breathing techniques increase oxygen intake and improve the oxygenation of the body’s cells. Oxygen is essential for energy production and the functioning of various bodily systems. By enhancing oxygen delivery, breathwork can boost physical vitality, increase mental clarity, and improve overall energy levels.

Stress reduction and relaxation: Conscious breathwork helps activate the relaxation response in the body, counteracting the effects of chronic stress. It can decrease the production of stress hormones like cortisol, promote a sense of calmness, and alleviate anxiety and tension. Engaging in breathwork can create a safe space for introspection, emotional release, and cultivating present-moment awareness.

Emotional regulation: Breathwork can serve as a powerful tool for emotional regulation and self-awareness. By consciously working with the breath, individuals can access and process suppressed emotions, trauma, and psychological blockages. It provides an avenue for exploring and releasing emotional energy, fostering emotional resilience, and promoting psychological well-being.

Mind-body connection: Breathwork practices encourage individuals to connect with their bodies and cultivate a heightened sense of body awareness. The rhythmic and focused nature of conscious breathing brings attention to the present moment, facilitating mindfulness and grounding. This mind-body connection can enhance self-empowerment, self-reflection, and overall mind-body integration.

Enhanced mental focus and clarity: Certain breathwork techniques, such as deep, slow breathing, can improve cognitive function and mental focus. They activate the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for executive functions like decision-making, problem-solving, and attention. By engaging in breathwork, individuals may experience improved mental clarity, concentration, and creativity.

It’s important to note that while breathwork can offer many benefits, individual experiences may vary. Some people may find breathwork more effective than others, and it’s advisable to learn and practice breathwork techniques under the guidance of a trained instructor or practitioner.

What Happens to Your Body When You Do Breathwork Every Day for 30 Days?

Matt D’Avella attempted this practice every day for 30 days, to see what would happen to his mind, health and body.

Matt D’Avella is a filmmaker, content creator, and YouTuber known for his minimalist lifestyle and personal growth content. He gained significant popularity through his YouTube channel, where he shares videos on topics such as minimalism, productivity, habits, and overall intentional living.

Is Breathwork Right for Me?

Determining whether breathwork is right for you depends on your specific needs, interests, and circumstances. While breathwork offers numerous potential benefits, it’s important to consider individual factors and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any underlying medical conditions. Here are some considerations to help you assess whether breathwork may be suitable for you:

  • Interest and curiosity: If you are intrigued by breathwork and its potential benefits, it may be worth exploring further. Research and learn about different breathwork techniques and styles to see if any resonate with you.
  • Stress management and relaxation: If you experience high levels of stress, anxiety, or have difficulty relaxing, breathwork can be an effective tool for calming the mind and body. Practices like deep diaphragmatic breathing or guided breathwork sessions may help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
  • Emotional well-being: Breathwork can be beneficial for emotional regulation and self-exploration. If you are interested in cultivating emotional resilience, releasing suppressed emotions, or gaining insights into your emotional state, breathwork techniques may be worth exploring.
  • Mindfulness and meditation: If you are drawn to mindfulness practices or seeking to deepen your meditation practice, breathwork can serve as a valuable complement. Focusing on the breath can enhance present-moment awareness and deepen your connection to the mind-body experience.
  • Physical vitality and energy: Breathwork techniques that emphasize conscious, rhythmic breathing can enhance oxygenation and improve energy levels. If you seek ways to increase vitality or address issues like shallow breathing or fatigue, breathwork may be worth considering.
swimming in open water Why NOT Showering Cold is KILLING Your GainsSource: Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
  • Seeking alternative practices: If you are open to exploring holistic approaches to well-being and personal growth, breathwork can be a valuable addition to your toolkit. It can complement other practices such as yoga, mindfulness, or therapy.
  • Medical considerations: It’s essential to take into account any medical conditions or concerns you may have. Certain breathwork techniques, such as breath retention or rapid breathing, may not be suitable for individuals with specific health conditions like cardiovascular problems or respiratory disorders. Consult with a healthcare professional if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns.

It’s always beneficial to learn breathwork techniques from a trained instructor or practitioner who can provide guidance, ensure proper technique, and address any questions or concerns you may have.

How Does Breathwork Reduce Stress?

Breathwork can be effective in reducing stress through various mechanisms. Here are some ways in which breathwork can help alleviate stress:

  • Activating the relaxation response: Certain breathwork techniques, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing, slow breathing, or extended exhalations, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s relaxation response. By activating this system, breathwork helps counteract the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the “fight-or-flight” stress response. This shift in the autonomic nervous system balance promotes relaxation, calms the mind and body, and reduces stress levels.
  • Slowing down the breath: When we experience stress, our breathing tends to become shallow, rapid, and primarily focused on the chest. By consciously slowing down the breath during breathwork exercises, we can counteract this pattern. Deep and slow breathing encourages a sense of calmness and steadiness. It sends signals to the brain that all is well, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety.
  • Increasing oxygenation: Stress can sometimes cause us to unconsciously hold our breath or take shallow breaths, resulting in reduced oxygen supply to the body. Breathwork techniques encourage deep, full breaths that enhance oxygen intake and improve oxygenation of the blood and tissues. Increased oxygen levels have a positive impact on our physical and mental well-being, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
  • Mindful focus and distraction from stressors: Engaging in breathwork requires concentration and mindfulness. By focusing on the breath and the sensations associated with breathing, we can divert our attention from stressful thoughts and external stressors. This redirection of attention can create a mental break and provide a sense of relief from stress.
  • Emotional release and regulation: Stress often manifests as a buildup of emotional tension. Breathwork can help release and regulate these emotions. As we engage in conscious breathing, it can activate the body’s natural relaxation response, facilitating the release of emotional energy and reducing emotional arousal associated with stress.
  • Cultivating present-moment awareness: Breathwork practices emphasize being present in the current moment, focusing on the sensations of breathing. This mindfulness aspect of breathwork can help shift our attention away from past or future stressors, allowing us to fully engage in the present. By immersing ourselves in the present moment, we can find respite from stress and experience a greater sense of calm.

While breathwork can be beneficial for stress reduction, individual experiences may vary. Some individuals may find certain breathwork techniques more effective than others.

How Does Breathwork Impact the Autonomic Nervous System?

Breathwork techniques can have a significant impact on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates many involuntary bodily functions. The ANS consists of two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), responsible for the “rest-and-digest” response. Here’s how breathwork affects the autonomic nervous system:

Activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS): The PNS is associated with relaxation, calmness, and restoration. Slow, deep breathing, which is often emphasized in breathwork, can activate the PNS. This type of breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, a major nerve of the PNS, leading to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels. It promotes a state of relaxation and counteracts the effects of the sympathetic nervous system.

Swimming WorkoutsSource: Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc

Balancing the sympathetic nervous system (SNS): The SNS is responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response, which is triggered during stressful situations. When we experience stress, our breathing tends to become shallow and rapid. Engaging in breathwork can help counterbalance this by slowing down the breath and reducing the activation of the SNS. Deep breathing and extended exhalations activate specific receptors in the lungs that send calming signals to the brain, leading to a shift towards a more balanced autonomic state.

Heart rate variability (HRV): HRV refers to the variation in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. Higher HRV is associated with better overall health and increased resilience to stress. Breathwork techniques that involve slow, deep breathing and focus on a prolonged exhale can increase HRV. This indicates a shift towards a more flexible and adaptive autonomic nervous system response, enhancing our ability to cope with stress.

Stress hormone regulation: Breathwork practices can influence the production and regulation of stress hormones, such as cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone released during times of stress, and chronically elevated levels can have negative health effects. By activating the PNS and reducing stress levels, breathwork can help regulate the release of stress hormones, promoting a more balanced and optimal hormonal profile.

Emotional regulation: The autonomic nervous system is closely linked to our emotional states. Breathwork can influence emotional regulation by allowing us to access and release suppressed emotions. Techniques like conscious connected breathing or specific breathwork modalities designed for emotional release can help activate the PNS and facilitate emotional processing and regulation.

Learn More

10 HIIT Exercises to Lose Belly Fat Faster

How to Use the Flat Dumbbell Bench Press to Build A Great Chest

How Many Exercises do you Need to Maximise Muscle Growth?

Best Hanging Ab Exercises

Image Sources

Related news