What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is the practice of consciously controlling your breathing to support your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming—just a few minutes of focused breathing can help shift your body from a state of stress into a state of calm.
It works by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (your “rest and digest” mode), helping your body feel safe, grounded, and relaxed.
Are We Breathing ‘Correctly’?
Most of us aren’t.
Over time, stress, poor posture, and busy lifestyles can lead to shallow chest breathing rather than deep, slow breaths from the diaphragm. This kind of breathing keeps the body in a low-level state of stress, even if we’re not aware of it.
Signs you might not be breathing properly:
- You breathe quickly or feel short of breath
- Your shoulders rise when you inhale
- You often feel tense or anxious
- You find it hard to fully relax
Simple breathwork practices to use everyday
You don’t need a perfect routine—just small moments throughout your day.
1. Deep Belly Breathing
Place one hand on your chest and one on your stomach.
Breathe in slowly through your nose, letting your stomach rise…
Then exhale slowly through your mouth.
Try this for 2–5 minutes to reset your body.
2. 4–6 Calming Breath
Inhale for 4 seconds
Exhale for 6 seconds
This longer exhale helps calm your nervous system and is perfect before bed or when you feel overwhelmed.
3. Morning Reset
Before reaching for your phone, take 5 slow, deep breaths.
It’s a simple way to start your day feeling grounded instead of rushed.
Breathwork for Stressful Moments
When stress or anxiety hits, let your breath be your guide
Quick Calm Technique
- Inhale slowly through your nose
- Exhale through your mouth with a sigh
- Repeat 5–10 times
This signals to your body that it’s safe to relax.
Box Breathing (Great for Anxiety)
- Inhale for 4
- Hold for 4
- Exhale for 4
- Hold for 4
Repeat for a few minutes to bring your focus back to the present moment.
Bringing it Into Your Daily Routine
Breathwork doesn’t need to be another thing on your to-do list. You'll notice that I begin and end your reflexology session with a breathing technique. You can also slot effective breathing into your day:
- While lying in bed
- During a walk
- After a reflexology session
- When you feel overwhelmed
- Before sleep
Even a minute or two can make a difference.
A Gentle Reminder
Your body is always communicating with you—and your breath is one of the quickest ways to listen and respond.
When you slow your breathing, you tell your body:
You are safe. You can relax now.
And from that place, everything begins to soften.
If you’re looking for deeper relaxation and support, reflexology works beautifully alongside breathwork—helping your body fully switch off and rebalance.