Mindfulness and Breathing For Healing
As we navigate the journey of living with chronic lung conditions, our relationship with breath becomes more than just a means to live—we can use breathing for healing as well. Mindful breathwork can support lung health and improve quality of life. In this guide, we’ll explore breath techniques that not only strengthen the lungs but also work with the body’s energy to promote healing and wholeness.
Breath and Mindfulness: A Pathway to Healing
Breath is the bridge between the body and mind. By bringing awareness to our breathing, we can calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and enhance our body’s natural healing abilities. For those managing chronic lung conditions such as COPD, asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis, breathwork can be an accessible way to reclaim a sense of control over their health.
Mindfulness invites us to be fully present, without judgment, in the moment-to-moment experience of life. Because of this, when we combine breath with mindfulness, we can tap into deeper levels of healing. This practice encourages self-compassion and patience, which are essential for those facing the daily challenges of lung disease.
Two Powerful Breath Techniques for Lung Health
1. Diaphragmatic Breathing (Belly Breathing)
Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique that engages the diaphragm, the muscle located just beneath the lungs. By consciously breathing deeply into the belly, we can help strengthen the diaphragm and improve oxygen exchange in the lungs. This method is especially beneficial for people with lung diseases, as it can increase lung capacity and reduce shortness of breath.
How to Practice:
- Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
- Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
- Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your belly to rise while keeping your chest relatively still.
- Exhale slowly through pursed lips, letting your belly fall.
- Repeat this process for 5-10 minutes, focusing on the rise and fall of your belly.
Benefits:
- Increases lung capacity
- Reduces the work of breathing
- Helps reduce stress and anxiety
2. Pursed-Lip Breathing
Pursed-lip breathing is a simple technique that helps control shortness of breath and improve ventilation. By slowing down the exhalation process, this method keeps the airways open longer, allowing for more efficient oxygen exchange and easing the burden on the lungs.
How to Practice:
- Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of two.
- Pucker your lips, as if you’re going to blow out a candle.
- Exhale slowly through pursed lips for a count of four.
- Continue for several minutes, focusing on a slow, controlled breath.
Benefits:
- Improves air exchange
- Reduces shortness of breath
- Promotes relaxation and lowers anxiety
The Healing Power of Breathwork and Energy
Breathwork is more than just a physical practice—it also works with the body’s energy. According to holistic wellness principles, the breath is the key to moving and balancing the body’s vital life force, or energy. When we breathe with intention, we can direct this energy to areas of the body that need healing. For those with chronic lung conditions, breathwork not only improves lung function but also enhances overall well-being by reducing tension and anxiety, calming the nervous system, and bringing a sense of groundedness.
When combined with mindfulness, breathwork becomes a powerful tool for healing. As we become more attuned to our body’s needs, we can direct compassion toward ourselves. This compassionate awareness fosters a sense of wholeness, encouraging the body to move toward a state of balance and healing.
Benefits of Breathwork for Chronic Lung Illnesses
- Enhances Oxygen Intake: Breathing techniques can improve oxygen exchange, increasing lung capacity and efficiency.
- Reduces Shortness of Breath: Breath control techniques help manage breathlessness, a common challenge for those with lung conditions.
- Supports the Nervous System: Mindful breathwork activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress.
- Encourages Mind-Body Connection: Bringing awareness to the breath creates a deeper connection with the body, fostering healing and emotional resilience.
- Balances the Body’s Energy: Breathwork allows for the flow of vital life force energy, which can enhance physical, emotional, and energetic healing.
Compassion and Awareness in Healing
For those with lung conditions, each breath can feel like a battle. But through the practices of breathwork and mindfulness, we can transform that struggle into a gentle, compassionate healing process. These techniques not only support lung function but also offer a pathway to reconnect with the body’s natural rhythms, creating space for healing and wholeness.
As you begin your breathwork journey, remember to approach each breath with kindness. Healing is a process, and the breath is there to support you every step of the way.
Stella Luna Counseling and Wellness is a proud partner of the American Lung Association. Purchase a monthly wellness subscription that includes services like halotherapy, sauna sessions, and float therapy, 10% of your membership dues are donated to support the important work of ALA. Together, we can make an impact—improving your wellness while supporting vital lung health research and advocacy.
Also check out the author’s, Kim, services like Energy Codes, Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.), and meditation instruction/guidance.
Kim is a certified coach and practitioner of Energy Codes, B.E.S.T., mindfulness, and Life Coaching. After seeing what these practices have done in her own life, she had a desire to help and guide others with a compassionate presence and open heart. She approaches her work with a strong understanding of the body’s energy system and its profound influence on overall well-being.