82: Finding Calm Through Your Breath

In this episode of Distracted, Angela Lockwood speaks with Angie Saunders, founder of Breathe Me and the O2 Collective, about the significance of breath in our daily lives. They explore how breathing affects our well-being, the importance of teaching breathing techniques to children, and practical strategies for managing stress through breath work. Angie emphasises the role of the vagus nerve and how breath can be a tool for emotional regulation and state change vital skills to help us in a fast-paced and often stressful life. The conversation highlights the need for awareness and control of our breathing patterns to improve mental clarity and overall health. This is an important episode to listen to if you feel the pressure of overwhelm in your body and want a simple way to overcome chronic stress.

By listening to the episode you will learn;

👉 How stress affects our breathing patterns, leading to physical and mental health implications.

👉  How to use your breath to change your mental and physical state even in heightened moments.

👉 Ways to teach children important regulation strategies.

👉 The skill of reflexive breathing.

👉  Co-regulation strategies for better relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Power of Breath
01:55 Understanding the Importance of Breathing
06:05 Breath Holding and Its Effects
09:49 Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief
14:01 Breathing with Children: Techniques and Games
18:01 The Role of the Vagus Nerve in Breathing
21:57 Breath as a Tool for State Change
26:05 Recognising Signs of Breath Imbalance
29:45 Practical Steps for Breath Control