Incorporating breathework exercises into your daily routines can increase productivity, calm anxiety & stress, and even improve creative thinking.
If you’ve been reading for awhile, you may be familiar with my own personal struggle with anxiety, & disassociation.
When I started doing breathwork I noticed it helped me to get into a state of calm so much quicker than before!
It also allowed me able experience my feelings in a more embodied & mindful way, drastically (improving any feelings of disassociation).
Here are 5 exercises you can do at home to bring you more mental clarity, and creativity into your own day!
Does breathing help creativity?
Yes!
Research shows that breathework can ease anxieties which help to achieve clarity of mind, & boost creative thinking.
1. Breathework exercises #1-Alternate nostril breathing
- Start by inhaling through left nostril ( making sure to cover your right nose with your finger!)
- Then release that air from your right nostril ( making sure to cover your left nostril with your finger at the same time as the exhale!)
- Repeat into you feel relaxed ( usually around 2-5 minutes)
2. 333 exercise
- First spend 1-2 minutes becoming aware of your breathing. How do you feel?
- When you’re ready breathe in for 3 whole seconds.
- Then hold for another 3 seconds.
- Finally, exhale for 3 again.
- Repeat a couple times.
3.- 4,7,8 breathing
- Begin by inhaling for 4 seconds.
- Hold for 7 seconds ( or for as long as you can if you can make 7 just yet)
- Finally, exhale for 8 seconds.
- The common recommendation is to repeat 4 times, with gradually increase.
4. Box breathing
fun fact- Navy Seals use this to stay calm & focused under high stress!
- Start by inhaling to the count of 4.
- Next hold for 4.
- Finally, exhale for 4.
- Repeat for 2-5 minutes.
only this time inhale to the count of four, hold your breath to the count of four, exhale to the count of four, then hold for the count of four. This completes one round. Breathe in this manner for five minutes to start, then extend your time.
5 Pursed lip breathing
- First, inhale slowly for 2 seconds ( with mouth closed)
- Secondly, purse or pucker your lips as if you were about to blow into a whistle.
- Finally, exhale through your pursed lips for 4 seconds.
- Repeat 4-5 times a day
The Takeaway
Breathe-work is a powerful to combat anxiety by bringing your nervous system into a relaxed state.
This brings on an increased mental clarity throughout the day which enhances creativity, and over-all well-being.
Let me know below! Have you tried breathe-work before? Which exercise is your favorite? ( Box breathe is go to!)
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