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Whether you have 5 minutes or 30, incorporating breathwork into your morning routine can be beneficial for your health.
Despite the rush, people who take a moment to practise deep breathing after waking up can experience several health benefits.
Mornings are one of the busiest times of the day for most people with many rushing for work or ensuring their kids reach school in time. However, jumping into tasks the minute we wake up is not healthy. Despite the rush, people who take a moment to practise deep breathing after waking up can experience several health benefits. Breathwork can be quite helpful, particularly within the first half hour after waking up. It causes dopamine to rise and elevates your emotional state and attitude.
Dr Saurabh Bothra, founder of Habuild and a qualified yoga instructor during an interview with The Indian Express said that consciously breathing deeply within the first 30 minutes of waking can do wonders for your body and mind. We are not actively taking in fresh oxygen or deep breathing while we sleep. Breathing workouts can help with nervous system relaxation, increase blood flow, and provide your body and brain with more energy through adequate oxygen.
Dr. Deepti Sinha, lead consultant in the ENT department at the CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi highlighted that methods including belly breathing, alternating nostril breathing, and relaxed nose breathing encourage a peaceful and concentrated start to the day. Humidifying the air through your nose improves respiratory comfort and promotes lung health.
Breathing within 30 minutes of waking up works like a natural alarm for your body. It prepares your mind for the day by making you feel alert, energised, and focused. Further, resilience and focus can be improved throughout the day by incorporating such a mindful practice early in the morning, which can also help create a positive tone for stress management. The most basic type of meditation is mindful nasal breathing. Overall health and well-being can be significantly improved by beginning with only a short period of nose breathing.
“These exercises strengthen lung capacity, support a steady heart rate, and prepare the body for the day’s challenges,” said Dr. Sinha. Belly breathing uses the diaphragm to improve deep oxygenation and relaxation, while alternate nostril breathing balances the nervous system to reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
Dr Bothra suggested performing yoga first thing in the morning. It’s the ideal balance of breathwork and movement. Pranayama can help you focus better, feel more alert, and clear your mind in as little as a few minutes. Whether you have 5 minutes or 30, incorporating breathwork into your morning routine is worth it.
