When we experience pain, our instinctive reaction is to hold our breath. However, this only worsens the situation. By doing so, the muscles in our body contract, reducing blood flow. Not only does this drain our energy levels, but it also intensifies the pain.
However, by practicing breathing exercises, we unlock a world of pain relief and relaxation. When we breathe calmly and deeply, we reduce our blood pressure and stimulate the vagus nerve – a vital brain nerve that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which signals our body to relax.
Additionally, breathing exercises help to normalize our breathing pattern, making it ideal for people who frequently experience shortness of breath, as is often the case with fibromyalgia.