Breathing – So Simple, So Powerful
Moments of Happiness in September
Have you ever really paid attention to your breath? Most of us breathe without giving it much thought – a completely automatic process. And yet, James Nestor shows in Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art that this small, seemingly trivial act can have a huge impact on our health and well-being.
What fascinated me most was how many different approaches there are to breathing – and how some therapeutic methods that gained popularity in the 20th century were later forgotten. One striking example: Nestor describes tuberculosis patients who were treated with specific breathing exercises that alleviated their symptoms. But over time, these approaches disappeared because they weren’t considered “scientific enough.” Today, the lost art of breathing is slowly making a comeback.
What Does Science Say About Breathing?
For such a fundamental topic, I expected to find much more research. In fact, there are studies showing that conscious breathing influences not only the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for relaxation) but also the sympathetic nervous system, which governs our stress response (Jerath et al., 2015, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience).
Slow, deep breathing has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve heart rate variability, and boost resilience (Brown & Gerbarg, 2005, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine).
For something so central to life, it amazes me – and honestly worries me a little – that we don’t talk about this more often. Why do we ignore something as essential as breathing?
“The breath is the smallest step, the greatest lever.”
Why We Breathe the Wrong Way Today
When I walk through the streets in the morning, I notice how many people breathe shallowly – often through their mouths. Stress, poor posture, and lack of movement have distanced us from our natural way of breathing.
Nestor points out that our ancestors breathed deeper, slower, and primarily through the nose. Today, we’ve forgotten this ancient practice – and with it, we lose part of our vitality and quality of life.
New Approaches to Breathing: My Practice
What excites me most is the variety of breathing techniques that are resurfacing. Some of them I’ve already integrated into my own daily practice. One method I’m particularly curious about is the Wim Hof Method – also known as “The Iceman’s” approach. It combines specific breathing exercises with cold exposure, aiming to consciously influence the autonomic nervous system and strengthen the immune system.
I plan to try it during ice baths. The very thought makes my heart race – but that’s exactly the point: challenging the body, gaining control over the breath, and noticing how both mind and body adapt.
Alongside Wim Hof, there are other simple yet powerful practices: nasal breathing, alternate nostril breathing, or simply slowing down and deepening the breath. Each of these techniques helps align body and mind – and the effects can be profound.
Conclusion: Breathing as a Key to Potential and Well-Being
“Breathing is more than just taking in oxygen. It’s a tool that connects body, mind, and soul,” Nestor writes. For me, that means every conscious breath is a small investment in health and happiness.
Whether it’s stress relief, sharper focus, or simply a moment of calm – the breath is always with us. And the more I explore it, the clearer it becomes: by reclaiming the art of breathing, we gain direct access to resilience, inner strength, and balance.
So take a deep breath, pause for a moment – and feel just how much power is hidden in something so simple.
