BREATHE EASY

Harnessing the power of your breath by being present and focused can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep and make you feel calmer

- MEGHAN LAWRENCE

IT'S so automatic that it's easy to forget how important it is.

You breathe in and out about 22 000 times a day, mostly without giving it a second thought. Every four to eight seconds air is pulled into your lungs, oxygen is removed from it and carbon dioxide is released when you breathe out.

It seems so simple, but it affects every part of your body. It's how your organs and tissue get the life-sustaining oxygen it needs - which is exactly why doing it with focus and intention is so beneficial.

Breathing isn't just a vital biological function, it's also a pathway to better physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Oprah, Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, swear by its therapeutic benefits, and even hire breathwork coaches to help them harness its power.

The great thing is it's something you can do anywhere and anytime, and the techniques are easy to learn.

We asked experts to give us the lowdown on breathwork and explain how you can use it to reduce stress and feel more relaxed, calm and centred.

WHAT IS BREATHWORK?

Breathwork encompasses a variety of breathing practices in which the breath is consciously controlled through deep, diaphragmatic or belly breathing.

Research has shown that this type of breathing helps reduce stress, anxiety, insomnia, symptoms of PTSD and depression. Not only can it help you fall asleep, it can help you wake up and feel more alert too.

The interesting thing about breathing is that it's both automatic and something we can control.