Live Whole Health #251: Making space for breath

Someone once told me that she had a best friend who came into this world on the exact same day, month and year as her. She said this best friend will also leave this world on the exact same day, month and year as her. In between, they spend every single moment together. This best friend is not a person, it is her breath.

Our breath is probably the most loyal friend we have. It is always here for us and it has always taken care of us. With each in-breath, we take in what we need. With each out-breath, we let go of what we don't. It is literally the rhythm of life. No matter what's going on, in good times or bad, the breath is with us. It's a good friend that has supported us since the moment we arrived in this world.

Mindful Breathing: Connecting with your breath as a source of support and calm

How often do we pay attention to this wonderful friend? What would it be like to truly pay attention to the breath, like you would with a good friend? Mindful breathing connects us and creates space for this friend. We give the breath the space it needs to fully unfold, so it can help us take in what we need and let go of what we don't. The breath soothes us, supports us and centers us.

Mindful breathing can help reduce stress, lower anxiety levels, improve mood and enhance overall well-being. And it's easy to practice! This 5-minute video provides a guided, mindful-breathing exercise to help us connect with and make space for the breath. When we make space for the breath, we also make space for ourselves.

More guided breathing exercises for stress relief and relaxation

Short mindful breathing practices and meditations like this can have a positive effect on your overall well-being. More stress-melting guided meditations can be found in the Whole Health Audio Files library, including this Compassionate Breathing or this Mindfulness of Breathing meditations.