To Help Others, First You Must Breathe
Humanitarian aid starts with the individual.
If the first and second responders who come in to a crisis situation are not prepared, both physically and mentally, they will not be able to help the people in need.
In addition, helping families in crisis situations does not just mean providing them with clothes and shelter. Their ability to handle the crisis and recover from it starts with their ability to calm themselves down and be in the present moment.
Breathing, in a controlled way, through the nose and deeply into the lower lobes of the lungs, is a very simple way to help both crisis responders and families and children affected by crisis situations.
Breathelab was developed by a partner of Foundation For Our Children that includes a series of breathwork exercises that anyone can do, but is critical for crisis responders to learn for both themselves and to help people in need during and after a crisis.
Breathelab enables those interested in being true humanitarians who are stressed, fatigued, have low self-esteem, and health challenges to experience a deep sense of peace and compassion for themselves and the people they are serving, to work on behalf of humanity in an authentic and aligned way. They have real life skills and tools that change the way they engage in the world, moving from fear to calm, thus handling intense and unpredictable crisis situations with conscious leadership and love.
How Does Learning to Breathe Help Those in a Crisis?
Entraining natural nasal breathing changes the way we experience the world because it ‘turns off’ the sympathetic nervous system, known as fight or flight response.
By nose breathing, specifically into the lower portion of the lungs and abdomen, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system instead, which allows us to calm down, be in the present moment, alert, and non-reactive, with increased focus and problem-solving abilities.
Nasal breathing releases dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, alkaline, “feel good” hormones and enzymes into the body, while lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
These breathwork practices develop self-regulation and self-awareness skills to become aware of negative thinking, helping to rework our brain into positive emotional responses to life situations.
Try It Out Yourself
We have two short breathwork practices here that can help you start to change your emotional ‘state’ from nervousness to calm. This self-regulation allows choice-making on how to respond to stressful situations, and helps the way you become better prepared for the next crisis situation.
Watch these videos, follow the instructions, and let us know how Breathelab helped you!
Breathelab 4 to 8 Natural Nasal Breathing
This breathing helps to reset your body to the parasympathetic nervous system, relaxing you, lowering your heart rate and blood pressure.
Breathelab Bison Breath
This kind of breathing ‘primes’ our nostrils to carry more oxygen, making it easier to then return to natural nasal breathing.
Self-Assessment
Take a few moments to feel the difference of entraining natural nasal breathing.
By self-assessing the physical benefits of Breathelab, we accelerate the development of new neuro-networks to ‘upgrade’ the nervous system.
We would love to hear what you think. Send us a message and let us know your thoughts, or share on our Facebook page.
Learn More About Breathlab