When we think of breathing, most of us imagine it as an automatic process that sustains life. However, the way we breathe – especially during times of stress – can profoundly influence our overall health, particularly our heart and vascular system.
Stress, Breathing, and the Nervous System
Have you ever noticed when you’re stressed, you tend to take shallow, rapid breaths from the upper chest? This kind of breathing engages secondary muscles around our neck and upper ribcage. While these muscles are perfectly capable of assisting in respiration, consistently relying on them can lead to muscle tension and fatigue.
More significantly, shallow, rapid breathing can activate our sympathetic nervous system – our body’s “fight or flight” response. Over time, this can lead to heightened stress levels, potentially exacerbating heart health issues.
The Magic of Nasal Breathing and Nitric Oxide
Do you breathe through your mouth or nose? When we breathe through our nose, our bodies produce nitric oxide. This plays a pivotal role in our cardiovascular system.
Nitric oxide, produced in the sinuses, is carried into the lungs when we breathe in. Here’s why that’s amazing for heart health:
- Vasodilation: Nitric oxide helps in expanding our blood vessels, which can help in reducing blood pressure.
- Improved Oxygenation: It increases oxygen delivery to the cells and tissues of our body.
- Heart Rate Regulation: Regular nasal breathing can help in slowing down the heart rate, making it more efficient.
Tying It All Together: Breathwork for Menopause
As many women approach menopause, they often report heightened stress and anxiety. Given that this year’s World Menopause Day theme is cardiovascular health – a significant concern for many women – the connection between stress, breathing, and heart health becomes even more poignant.
My upcoming event, “Heart & Breath”, is designed to explore these connections. We’ll share our own experiences, have an informal conversation about breathwork techniques that can help manage stress, encourage healthier breathing patterns, and subsequently support cardiovascular health. Best of all you get to try this gentle way of breathing for yourself and have a tool you can tap into anytime you need it.
Join Me on World Menopause Day
Whether you’re beginning your perimenopause journey, are in the thick of menopause, or have transitioned out the other side, this session promises something for you. Feel the immediate benefits of breathwork and arm yourself with knowledge and practices to support your heart health.
Come and be part of this FREE session, where we not only discuss but also feel the transformative power of conscious breathing. Suitable for complete beginners to those familiar with breathwork.
Save the Date: Wednesday October 18th you’ll find me at:
La Pomme, Ingatestone 11am – 12:30pm
The Old Joinery Studio, Colchester 5:30pm – 7pm