How to Breathe For More Energy: 3 Easy Breathing Practices

Sep 8

A woman with a serene expression tilts her head up to the sky. Her eyes are closed and she is backlit by a sunset above a blurry body of water.

If I told you that you could instantly increase your energy by breathing differently, would you do it?

I bet you would if it’s that simple! And it is. Try this breathing technique instead of drinking another cup of coffee or grabbing a sugary snack.

Your breath can control your nervous system.

The breath and the nervous system are connected at many levels. In high school biology, you probably heard the example of a caveman running from a lion, which would activate the “flight-or-fight” or acute stress response, which prepares the body to defend and protect itself. The sympathetic nervous system activates this response and causes the pupils to dilate, the heart to pump faster, the blood pressure to increase, and the breath to become shallow and rapid. When the threat is gone, the parasympathetic nervous system activates and creates the “rest-and-digest” or relaxation response. The breath and heart rate both slow down, and the body begins to repair and rejuvenate.

So, the nervous system has a direct effect on the breath.

Well, it turns out that the reverse is also true. The breath has a direct effect on the nervous system. And if you know how to affect your breath, you can also affect your nervous system.

Your inhale can increase your energy.

There are two parts of the breath- the inhale and the exhale. The inhale revs you up and the exhale brings you down. So anytime you’re low on energy, feeling tired, or you’re feeling blue or down, focus on your inhale. Specifically, lengthen your inhale.

3 simple ways to lengthen your breath for energy.

Count: count your natural inhale and increase the count by 1 or 2. For example, if it’s a natural count of 2, increase it to 3.
Link to a movement: coordinate your breath with a simple movement. Then to lengthen the inhale, add a second movement. For example, start by coordinating your inhale with raising your arms from your sides all the way up to the sky. Then add a pause halfway up before continuing to the sky.
Say an affirmation: in your mind, repeat an affirmation as you inhale. Then to lengthen the inhale, add a few words onto the affirmation. For example, say “I am beautiful.” Then add on and say “I am beautiful and strong.”

The next time you need an extra boost of energy to get going in the morning or during the day, skip the sugar and caffeine and try breathing differently.

Be well,