Recharging and Resetting Through Breathwork Meditation - Do you find yourself struggling to stay awake around 2:00PM each day? Are you tired of feeling even more exhausted after sipping on your afternoon cup of Joe? Are you interested in a quick way to reset and balance your energy after a stressful or upsetting incident? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, this post is for you.
Breathwork is one of the most powerful mindfulness practices available to us. Why? Breathing is the body’s way of taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. This chemical exchange has a direct impact on our mood, mental clarity and energy level. Intentionality surrounding your breath is an impactful a way to harness its power. Let’s get into how you can use your body’s most basic function as an alternative for coffee and sugary energy drinks.
What is breathwork? Breathwork is an active form of meditation that incorporates various controlled rates and speeds of breath control or Pranayama (the Sanskrit word for breath control). Much like traditional meditation, breathwork is a powerful tool that can enhance your mindfulness practice and thus improve your overall wellbeing and balance. It differs from traditional meditation in the sense that it is centered around intentional focus on the timing and tempo of one’s breathing. In this post, I want you to try a breathwork exercise that will give you an afternoon pick me up, minus the debilitating crash hours later.
First, you will need to find a quiet comfortable place to sit or lay. Your ‘reset room’ or a nice cozy spot in your backyard are great options for trying this technique. Also, our Energize essential oil blend would be the perfect addition to your breathwork practice. It is a light and airy blend of peppermint, grapefruit, and lime. Peppermint oil is crisp and refreshing, its proven to improve concentration and focus. Grapefruit oil balances mood and relieves anxiety. Lime is an uplifting scent that alleviates stress and leaves you feeling energized. Simply roll this popular blend in to the palm of your hands and inhale deeply five times before beginning your breathwork exercise.
Once you have found a quiet place to sit or lay and you have your Energize essential oil blend, you will be ready to get started! Next, you will need to decide on a set pattern of breathing that will be simple for you to maintain for 3-5 minutes. For example, you can choose to inhale and exhale for three seconds at a time. That means you will inhale and count to three & then exhale and do the same. It is important to note that shorter durations of inhaling and exhaling provide a burst of energy while longer durations have a more calming and relaxing effect. One technique of breathing that I love is to feel yourself and your whole body smiling as you inhale. Inhale the present and exhale the past.
Next, close your eyes and take a few moments to center and ground yourself. Focus your energy on your breath. Your mind may wander, and random thoughts may pop up, that is ok. Just center your energy around your breath and do not worry too much about silencing your thoughts. Now, inhale deeply for three seconds and exhale for three seconds. As you inhale, try to fill your lungs with as much air as you possibly can. Notice the rise of your chest as you inhale deeply. Inhale the present. As you exhale, imagine that you are trying to fill a balloon with the air that you are blowing out. Notice the fall of your chest as you exhale. Exhale the past and anything that no longer serves you. Repeat this pattern of breathing five times and then take a rest. Breathe at your normal resting rate for one minute. By breathing quickly and sharply, you are giving your body a quick boost of adrenaline. Doing this activates your sympathetic nervous system, which will cause you to feel more alert and awake.
Incorporating breathwork meditation into your wellness practice when you need a burst of energy or a mood reset will help you to achieve a higher level of wellbeing, inner harmony, and balance. After all, that is what we are all striving for, right?
You can find calming and energizing essential oil blends to support your breathwork on our site The Artistry of Essential Oils. Get in touch with us today and discover the healing benefits of essential oils.
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