If you’re having one of those days when everything seems to be getting on top of you – life hectic, work demanding, kids unrelenting – and you feel your stress levels rising, what’s your natural instinct to calm yourself down?
Chances are you’ll stop and take a deep breath.
And that deep breath… it’s powerful medicine. In fact, research suggests the many benefits of breathwork include reduced stress, depression and anger; improved energy levels and concentration; enhanced sleep quality; a boosted immune system; a calmed nervous system; and even reduced levels of physical pain.
And as that one deep breath as medicine for a stressful day proves, at a very basic level, it just makes us feel better physically, mentally and emotionally. It stops us shallow breathing – that ‘fight or flight’ breathing in the top of our chest – and slows us down to breathe deeper, slower, more effectively.
Little wonder then, and especially after the stress of recent years, that breathing has become one of today’s hottest wellness trends – the new self-care ‘workout’.
The challenge, however, is that although we all breathe thousands of times a day, we rarely focus on the art of breathing right.
That’s why Wexer has launched a dedicated Breathe channel on its Web Player. An exciting addition to Wexer’s growing library of holistic wellbeing content, Breathe teaches you to optimise your breathing techniques and patterns, to in turn gain the significant benefits of breathwork for overall health and stress management.
Expert guidance
Wexer’s Breathe collection has been created by Move123 – one of Wexer’s top content providers – and encompasses intentional breathing and relaxation techniques that increase oxygen flow to the brain and body.
The video-based series offers expert-led guidance in areas as diverse as:
- Expanding breath and lung capacity by controlling breathing
- Meditation to help focus and calm the mind
- Using breathing to prepare for meditation
- How to breathe for better sleep
- Enhancing health and longevity
- Expanding and strengthening the lungs
- Slowing down breathing to relax the nervous system
- Balancing the body and increasing functionality of the mind
“I work in a high-stress job and the Move123 Breathe classes have been life-changing for me. I watch one every day and it helps me deal with work stress,” says Andrew, aged 29.
“I was looking for a way to start meditating and the Move123 Breathe classes have been a great way to prepare my mind. I feel calmer, more in control and for the first time ever I have been able to enjoy meditation,” says Sarah, aged 37.
A must for everyone
Morten Andersen, Wexer’s global head of content, comments: “Breathwork has rapidly become a top trend, so we’re excited to launch a dedicated channel that makes it easy to find the perfect class for your needs.
“Because working on your breath really is for everyone, whether you’re an athlete, office worker or parent; with the challenges of our modern lifestyle, almost everyone faces periods of feeling stressed, and all too often this affects our breathing patterns. In turn, this has a detrimental effect on our wellbeing.
“By taking some time to learn from the experts, most people can improve their breathing and experience great benefits.”
Belinda Humphreys, Move123 COO, adds: “We know that a large percentage of the population are not gym members, but they are interested in staying fit, active and well.
“Move123 content therefore spans the full breath of fitness and mindfulness – including our Breathe, Meditation and Stretch series – and is designed to be easy to fit into your day, with each video lasting between five and 30 minutes.
“With the rapidly growing interest in wellness over the last couple of years, our Breathe series has become an integral part of Move123. Whether you’re trying to decrease stress, find calm or help with focus, our Breathe classes are for you.”
Find out more about Breathe and the Wexer Web Player at info@wexer.com