.png)
There’s a lot of information on the nature of workplace ergonomics and how long-term posture and sitting can profoundly affect our well-being. After all, we spend a lot of time at our office or place of work, so it makes sense that doing anything for a long time can lead to issues as the years wear on.
One of the more powerful ways that breathwork can help us in this regard is by training our bodies to assume better postures and styles of sitting and standing. In addition, breathing habits are often informed by the surrounding environment we inhabit, and problems that arise from poor posture and breathing rhythms can be positively changed when we focus on how our breathing affects us as w whole.
In today's blog, we’ll look at how breathing practices and techniques can positively impact our bodies and how this can help us change our ergonomics in the office for a healthier, safer office lifestyle.
Read on!
Stress & Posture
One of the more common ways breathwork is used is to reduce the feelings of stress that arise during challenging moments in work and daily life. Regardless of the technique used, the key takeaway from stress management is to use breathing to activate our body's calming functions – such as the vagus nerve.
One of the ways we can calm ourselves consistently is to ensure we breathe more deeply and evenly, typically by using our bellies to give our diaphragm space to expand and allow more air. When we breathe through our bellies, our posture is changed as well, as we sit up more straight to give our bellies more room.
Regularly practicing belly breathing and other related breathing techniques allows us to improve our posture positively over time, improving our ergonomics and reducing the effects of back strain in the process.
Movement, Meditation & Anxiety
Exercise is one of the most valuable tools we have when overcoming phases of depression and anxiety, giving us a natural endorphin rush that makes it easier to process the events of the day. However, one of the other side-effects of exercise is how it informs our breathing. As we exercise, we breathe deeply and more profoundly, as our bodies require the additional air to operate at the desired pace.
Using a form of exercise, such as simply walking during a work break, can be a vital way to readdress moments of anxiety and stress in our days and can be an essential tool in a stressful work environment.
In the event you don’t have the time or room to go for a quick walk, then a period of meditation can be vital as well – especially if it allows you to move from your chair and engage your body differently from your typical day.
If you're looking for some easy exercises to try in your workplace today, then why not give these two a try?
For more information regarding how to manage your breathing for a more effective lifestyle, visit our other blogs here at The Exhale to get the latest tips and tricks. For free guided breathing exercises that you can take anywhere, try out the Breathwrk app here and enjoy a FREE 7-day trial with access to everything we have to offer!
And remember: Breathe Better, Live Better.
Ciao!
