Mastering Breathing Techniques for Anxiety: Trauma-Informed Training and Education

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Our curriculum is accredited for continuing education by prestigious organizations like the APA and Board of Nurses, ensuring practitioners receive top-notch training and credentials.

Contact us at info@aurainstitute.org or (424) 400-3048 to begin your journey as a certified trauma practitioner and make a positive impact in trauma care.

Mastering Breathing Techniques for Anxiety: Trauma-Informed Training and Education

Deep Breaths: Harnessing Breathwork as a Tool for Anxiety Relief

Key points covered in this article:

1. The role of breath in managing anxiety
2. Introduction of scientifically proven breathing techniques for anxiety
3. Relevance of trauma-informed training in understanding and implementing these techniques
4. The growing need for breathwork education in the field of mental health

You might've heard the adage "just take a deep breath" when stress becomes overwhelming. You're not alone if you've initially dismissed it as oversimplified advice. However, could there be an undervalued truth to it? This article delves into the potent tool within us, often overlooked—our breath—and shows how the art of breathing for anxiety can offer a useful and accessible method of self-regulation.

"The air we breathe is more than just an ecological concern; it is an underutilized tool in our kit for mental health management."

The Power of Breath

It's a life-sustaining automatic process we barely pay attention to unless struggling. Yet, controlled breathing exercises harness the unique trait of our breathing process, to be both voluntary and involuntary, offering the potential of self-regulation of our internal state.

"Breathing regulation can offer us the reins of control over something as abstract and intangible as our feelings."

Breathing Techniques: The Underestimated Anxiety Hack

Several scientifically proven techniques of breathing can actually relieve anxiety. These include:

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing or Belly Breathing: Focused breathing through the diaphragm instead of chest breathing.
2. Box Breathing: Involves controlled inhalation, holding the breath, exhalation, and then holding the breath again, each for a count of four.
3. 4-7-8 Technique: Breathing in for 4 seconds, hold it for 7 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds.
4. Alternate Nostril Breathing: A yoga technique that involves alternately breathing through one nostril at a time.

These techniques aim to control our breath, and in that control, we find power to manage our internal state. However, people struggling with anxiety may often find these techniques intimidating at first, which introduces the importance of having a trauma-sensitive approach to the education and training in these techniques.

Trauma-Informed Training: The missing link

Often someone with anxiety has experienced some form of trauma. Breathing exercises, although beneficial, can trigger a sense of loss of control which can then spiral into an anxiety or panic attack. Therefore, a trauma-informed approach to teaching these exercises is essential.

"Remember, healing is not a race. Every individual has a unique pace and path to recovery."

Educating about Breathwork: The demand in Mental Health Field

Considering the substantial benefits, there is a growing need for experts in the field of mental health to be educated in the art and science of breathwork. Whether it is psychologists, psychiatrists or therapists, having this tool in their professional approach can immensely benefit their clients.

FAQs

1. How quickly will the breathing techniques start reducing my anxiety?

   • This varies individually. Some report an immediate decrease in their anxiety levels. However, like any new skill, patience and regular practice will yield more consistent and powerful results.

2. I have tried breathing techniques before, but they seem to increase my anxiety?

   • It's not uncommon for people to experience this, especially those suffering from anxiety or having a past trauma history. This is why a trauma-informed approach is emphasized in teaching these techniques. Please seek professional help to guide you through this process in a safe manner.

3. I am a mental health therapist interested in incorporating breathing techniques. Where can I get trained?

   • Many institutes offer trauma-informed Breathwork training courses online, such as Aura Institute, where the training is designed to cater to both, the professionals and those seeking to use these tools for personal growth.

Remember: we breathe more than 20,000 times a day, make each one count!

Ready to start your career as a trauma informed care practitioner? Contact us at info@aurainstitute.org or (424) 400-3048 to begin your journey as a certified trauma practitioner and make a positive impact in trauma care.