Power breath is very effective in calming our nerves because it triggers a switch in our body's nervous system from the sympathetic nervous system — which activates the fight-or-flight response — to parasympathetic — the rest-and-digest system that slows down heart rate and relaxes the muscles. If we're in a fight-or-flight state, and we don't want to feel this way, switching back and forth from inhaling for four, exhaling for eight can lead us to a state of rest-and-digest.
This breathing exercise is also believed to enhance the "calm-and-collected" state which has been used effectively by people to stop a panic attack, reduce migraine symptoms, and for dealing with muscle spasms or muscle cramps.
Power breath allows our body to switch into a calm-connected or rest-and-digest state because when we're naturally calm and naturally resting, we do not think about our breath, that is the breathing pattern the body adopts, according to Jane. So, if we're able to "trick" the mind and body into thinking we're calm and connected, we begin to breathe the way we would be breathing if we were naturally in a state of calm and connection.
Simply taking the time to inhale and exhale, and then assess the situation calmly, has the power to alleviate our anxiety in a matter of seconds.
Did it work for you? Please share your experience.
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