Breathwork is a powerful practice that can improve both physical and mental health. In addition to relieving conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, research shows that breathwork can help you release repressed emotions. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind breathwork and emotional release, and how you can find research-backed breathwork techniques at breathewitharavind.com
The Negative Impact of Repressing Emotions
Research has shown that repressing emotions can have negative consequences on mental and physical health. Studies have found that emotion suppression is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, reduced immune function, and reduced memory recall. Additionally, repressing emotions can lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, which can negatively impact the quality of life.
The Benefits of Releasing Repressed Emotions through Breathwork
Repressing emotions can have negative consequences on both physical and mental health. Studies have shown that emotion suppression is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (“Emotion suppression and cardiovascular disease: is hiding feelings bad for your heart?” by J. D. M. Pena et al., 2012), reduced immune function (“Repression, stress, and immune dysfunction: Inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation and its restoration by drugs that relieve anxiety” by J. F. Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 1985), and reduced memory recall (“The effect of emotional suppression on autobiographical memory recall” by C. R. Harris et al., 2007). Repressing emotions can also lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
The Science Behind Breathwork and Emotional Release
Research has shown that breathwork can have a positive impact on mental health. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis found that pranayama (a form of breathwork) was associated with improved mental health (“The effect of pranayama on mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis” by R. K. Kharya et al., 2020).
Another study found that breathing techniques were associated with reduced negative affect and stress in healthy adults (“The effects of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults” by J. R. Abelson et al., 2018). These studies suggest that breathwork can have a positive impact on emotional health.
How to Get Started with Breathwork
If you’re interested in trying breathwork to release repressed emotions, I offer a variety of research-backed breathwork techniques to get you started. Working with qualified breathwork practitioners can help guide you through various techniques and help you find the best approach for your needs. Some popular techniques include pranayama and holotropic lite, rebirthing, and tetra breathwork, and with regular practice, breathwork can be a powerful tool for improving emotional and physical health.
Incorporating Breathwork into Your Daily Routine
To experience the full benefits of breathwork, it’s important to incorporate it into your daily routine. This could be as simple as taking a few minutes each morning to practice breathwork before starting your day. You could also try incorporating breathwork into other activities, such as yoga or meditation. Over time, regular practice can help you build resilience to stress and release repressed emotions.
Conclusion
Breathwork is a research-backed practice that can improve both physical and mental health. By working with a qualified breathwork practitioner and incorporating breathwork techniques into your daily routine, you can begin to experience the benefits of this practice. With the ability to release repressed emotions, breathwork can help you achieve a sense of emotional release and improve overall health and well-being.