You might have caught wind of our mentions about breathwork, but have you ever given it a go?
In essence, breathwork involves transitioning our breath from an unconscious to a conscious state. At Poosh, we’re enthusiasts of breathwork, embracing various styles to match different moods and occasions. Whether you aim to kick-start your day, alleviate anxiety, or quell panic, we’ve got the right techniques for you.
How to Begin Your Day
If you can spare a few moments before that first sip of coffee, indulge in 10 minutes of Wim Hof breathing to jumpstart your day. This practice boosts energy levels, balances blood pH, accelerates metabolism, and expels toxins from your body—all before getting out of bed.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Lie down, close your eyes, and breathe in and out through your mouth.
2. Inhale, pushing your belly button out to promote diaphragmatic breathing.
3. Breathe in and out 20 to 40 times, then hold your breath for 30 seconds.
4. After 30 seconds, take another deep inhale and hold for 15 seconds.
5. Repeat this process two more times for three rounds. Feel the buzz!
How to Reduce Anxiety
Many anxieties originate from relentless thought loops. Enter the box breathing method, a quick fix that keeps you focused on your breath, counting, and visualization, diverting your attention from anxious thoughts.
Follow these steps:
1. Sit up straight, close your eyes, and tuck your right elbow into your waist, forming a 90-degree angle with your arm. Point your index finger forward to trace an imaginary box.
2. Inhale for four seconds, lifting your finger to draw the left side of the box.
3. Hold your breath for four seconds, sliding your finger to the right to draw the top of the box.
4. Exhale for four seconds, lowering your finger to draw the right side of the box.
5. Hold your breath for another four seconds, sliding your finger to the left to complete the box.
6. Repeat until calm. It’s like a Xanax without taking one.
How to Manage Panic
In panic mode, hormones go haywire, and cortisol levels skyrocket. Combat panic by intentionally breathing through the 4-7-8 method:
1. Inhale deeply for four seconds.
2. Hold your breath for seven seconds.
3. Exhale slowly for eight seconds.
While it may feel challenging initially, the breath hold and extended exhale activate the parasympathetic system, essential in panic moments. Pro tip: Exhale as if through a straw to further stimulate your vagus nerve.
