“Just breathe”—a common piece of advice that seems almost too simple to be a remedy for the racing heart and spiraling thoughts of anxiety. Yet emerging research is beginning to uncover a profound link between the way that we breathe and our mental health.
The Science of Breathing and Anxiety
Consider a scenario where, despite using medication, altering your diet, and maintaining a positive outlook, anxiety persists because a crucial element—your breathing—hasn’t been addressed. It’s a viewpoint that author and journalist James Nestor holds dearly in his book “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art.” He spent 10 years with experts—scientists, doctors, yogis, and breathwork practitioners—to explore the profound effect of breathing practices on health; it positioned them as a key tool for managing anxiety.An Australian study states that dysfunctional breathing may affect up to 83 percent of people with anxiety. According to Mr. Nestor, this is not coincidental. “If your breathing is not in check, you can never fully get your anxiety under control,” he says in his online course titled “The Power of Your Breath.”
