The Surprising Health Benefits of Deep Breathing

As a Social Worker employed in many challenging areas in my life-time, it means I’ve also been involved consistently in higher stress activities. In retrospect, I wished I’d learned to practice deep breathing earlier on in my life - because it’s impact on the body and mind is immediate. And certainly, one of the most immediate benefits of deep breathing is that it can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

If you’ve ever felt anxious – you’ll recall that your breathing becomes shallower and more rapid, which only serves to increase your feelings of anxiety and even panic. By taking a few minutes to focus on deep, slow breaths, you can help to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, and bring some much-needed calm back into your life, at almost any moment you feel you need to. It’s convenient and effective.

If you struggle with insomnia or other sleep issues, deep breathing absolutely can help. When we're stressed, our bodies produce cortisol, a hormone that makes it harder for us to fall asleep and stay asleep. But by practicing deep breathing before bedtime, we can help to lower our cortisol levels and improve the quality of our sleep.

In addition, deep breathing can also help to clear your mind of the worries and concerns that may be keeping you up at night. When you practice deep breathing to encourage your sleep, over time, your mind and body will become accustomed to this pattern and you’ll find yourself falling more easily into a sounder sleep.

And here’s a surprising fact, did you know that deep breathing can also help to boost your immune system? When we're stressed, our bodies produce less of the antibodies that protect us from illness. But by taking some time out for some deep methodical breaths, we can help to increase the production of these important antibodies, giving our immune systems a much-needed boost.