Breathing your way to happiness: the power of breathwork

We all breathe, but how often do we truly notice it? Most of us are on autopilot, breathing shallowly or even holding our breath, especially when stressed. But by shifting our attention to our breath, we can calm our minds, release tension, and boost our energy.

Series 5 of the Happiness Challenge is live (yay!), and I am starting by exploring the power of breathwork.

What is Breathwork?

My podcast guest, Isabel Tew is an author, coach and breathwork teacher who defines breathwork as:

“Using the way you breathe to influence how you feel.”

Sounds simple enough, and yet there are different types or schools of breathwork to explore:

• Functional breathing: making our everyday breathing more efficient to help our immune system and stay effective in making energy
• Pranayama: using breath to soothe or energise our nervous system
• Holotropic or conscious connected breathing: using our breath to go into altered states of consciousness

But to keep it simple in day-to-day life, Isabel stresses that:

“We take around 20,000 breaths each day. If we inhale through our nose and do so at a slower pace, we will likely experience more content in life.”

Why? Because our breath has this incredible power to act as a reset button, bringing stress hormone levels back down, soothing your nervous system and allowing your attention networks to work in sync again.

Tune in to episode 124 to listen to the full interview with Isabel Tew

How to take a breather?

One of the most appealing aspects of breathwork is its practicality. It's a tool that's always with you, whether at home, at work, or amid a hectic day. This accessibility means you can practice breathwork anywhere, anytime, making it a powerful ally in your pursuit of happiness.

Three simple methods to try (5 minutes each):

• Intention Breath: First thing in the morning, take 10 deep breaths while setting an intention for how you wish to feel. Imagine breathing in and out a specific positive emotion to start the day on the right foot.
• Fire Breath: perfect for the afternoon slump, which for me is usually at 4:00 p.m. You take quick, forceful exhales through your nose while keeping the inhales passive. It's like firing up your internal engine.
• Grounding Breath: ideal for the end of the day when you need to wind down from a long day. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. The extended exhale helps release tension and signals your body that it's time to relax.

Listen to episode #125, Transform Your Mood: 3 Breathwork Techniques to Try This Month?

How do you keep it simple and stick to breathwork?

These three easy breathwork techniques are small changes that can transform how you feel and interact with the world. I promise they are worth it!

My additional tips when it comes to breathwork:

1. ? Give yourself a moment of self-care and check your breathing throughout the day.

2. ? Choose consciously to breathe via the nose, especially on the inhale, to protect your immune system by preventing bacteria from entering your body via your mouth

3. ? Make the length of breathing exercises achievable for you. Whether you choose 1, 3, or 5 minutes, have reminders to prompt you to build the habit.

4. ? Pair it up with daily activities that you do anyway. Walking, cooking or making a cup of tea.

5. ? Keep it fun and mix it with other tools: breath cards or theme meditations.

If you are ready to start your breathwork journey, listen to episode #126, Breathe Better, Live Better: Insights from My Breathwork Challenge, and learn more about Isabel’s Breath Cards to introduce you to various breathing methods.

Whenever you are, take a deep breath towards happiness.