What’s Breath Got to Do with Anxiety?
Sadie Croshaw
Are you constantly hearing about breathing and meditation being a magical tool for anxiety and stress? Breath-work has sort of become a buzzword lately, which makes the idea of it a little cliche.
So where’s the proof? Why does this idea of breath-work hold so much weight in so many different spheres–between doctors, therapists, physical therapists, yoga teachers, teachers, etc.? Why are some dentists even recommending yoga to their patients?
Anxiety is such a complicated illness, and it manifests differently in each person. For me, it shows up as jaw clenching, migraines, dizziness, chest pain, and shortened breath. You may experience one of more of these symptoms. You may experience a variety of totally different symptoms. That’s what makes it so tricky to understand.
But in general, anxiety is often related to a sense of unsettlement, insecurity, racing thoughts, etc. CERTAINLY, any symptoms you’re experiencing should be discussed with a doctor and/or a therapist. But with that, one of the largest sources of empowerment for me has been educating myself about why my body responds to situations the way it does.
As I researched anxiety, the breath, and the body’s response to stress, I learned that the body sometimes gets conflicted with a feeling of stress and a need to enter fight, flight, or freeze mode at times when that fight, flight, or freeze mode may not actually be “necessary.”
So for example, I experienced a car accident a couple years ago and have had anxiety with driving ever since. I may feel excessively overwhelmed, waiting at a two-way intersection for far longer than necessary, too nervous to continue driving, because I think someone is going to hit me again. I may begin hyperventilating, tears running down my face, obstructing my view of the road.
