5 Ways Breathwork Supports Mental Health

Too simple to be true? Learn how your breath helps you heal.

Breathwork is more than just deep breathing. It's a powerful, body-based tool that supports emotional regulation, stress relief, and nervous system balance. Whether you're managing anxiety, recovering from burnout, or simply trying to reconnect with your body, conscious breathwork can help you feel more grounded and present.

1. Breathwork Helps Regulate Your Nervous System

One of the most immediate effects of breathwork is its ability to shift your body out of fight-or-flight mode and into a more regulated, parasympathetic state. By using specific breath patterns, you can activate the vagus nerve and signal safety to your body, which helps lower cortisol and reduce feelings of anxiety or overwhelm.

Try this: A simple practice like extended exhale breathing (inhale for 4, exhale for 6) can start to bring your system into balance.

2. It Creates Space for Emotional Release

Emotions often get stored in the body — especially when we’ve had to suppress them to stay functional. Conscious breathwork allows you to release emotional tension without needing to explain or analyze it. Many people report crying, tingling, or a sense of spaciousness during sessions, even when they don’t know exactly why.

3. It Builds Interoception (Body Awareness)

In a world that pulls us constantly into our heads, breathwork offers a chance to reconnect with the body. With regular practice, you’ll develop a stronger sense of interoception — the ability to feel what’s happening inside. This supports emotional regulation and decision-making, especially during stress or high-demand moments.

4. It Supports Trauma Recovery

While breathwork isn’t a replacement for therapy, it can be a powerful complement to trauma work. By working with the body, you can begin to shift physiological patterns of freeze, shutdown, or hyperarousal. EMDR therapy and breathwork pair particularly well for clients looking to heal both cognitively and somatically.

5. It Improves Energy, Focus & Sleep

When your nervous system is regulated, your body isn’t using all its energy to scan for threat. Breathwork helps restore natural rhythms like sleep, digestion, and focus. Clients often report better energy, clearer thinking, and more restorative sleep after even a few sessions.

How to Get Started with Breathwork

You don’t need to do anything fancy to begin. Start with just 5–10 minutes of focused breathing each day, or join a guided class to learn how your body responds best.

Explore my Breathwork & Vagal Toning classes in Port Moody and online
Book a free consult to see how this work might support you