If you’ve ever been to a wellness retreat or taken part in a yoga or meditation class, then you know that breathing and reaching a meditative state go hand in hand. While most of us recognize the calming effects of taking deep breaths and meditating, did you know that there are actual scientific benefits to it? Let’s take a look at the science behind breathing and meditation.

The Benefits of Breathing

Deep breathing has long been known to reduce stress, improve focus, and increase energy levels. But what’s really happening inside your body when you take those deep breaths? When we breathe deeply, our bodies are actually sending signals to our brain to relax. This happens because deep breathing activates the vagus nerve, which is responsible for triggering the relaxation response in our body. This can have a number of positive effects on our mental and physical health, such as reducing inflammation, decreasing cortisol levels (the hormone associated with stress), lowering blood pressure, improving sleep quality, and even increasing bone density!

The Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is another powerful way to reduce stress and promote well-being. Studies show that regular practice of meditation can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms while also enhancing feelings of self-compassion and self-esteem. Additionally, research suggests that regular meditation can improve cognitive function as well as physical performance. In fact, studies have found that people who practice mindfulness—a type of meditation that involves focusing on the present moment—experience improved short-term memory recall!

Conclusion:

It’s clear that both breathing exercises and meditation offer numerous physical and mental health benefits. From reducing stress levels to improving cognitive function, these simple practices can help us live healthier lives. So next time you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed out give yourself a few moments for some mindful breathing or try out a guided meditation session - your mind (and body) will thank you for it!

To dive deeper, check out this article by Scientific America about the research being done.

or this one by Harvard University

For a much deeper dive, check out Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor