Emotional Regulation, Part Two: How Breathwork Helps When Your Feelings are Getting the Best of You

As we talked about earlier this week, even small shifts here and there can help when things seem overwhelming. Today, we're going to take a look at one way to shift what you're feeling pretty quickly.

It's the one I usually to turn to first.

Breathwork: A Soothing
​Way Back to Yourself

So, about breathing. It’s actually one of your closest allies when your feelings run you over.

Have you ever noticed how your breath changes with your mood? In those tense or difficult moments, you might hold your breath, sigh a lot, or feel like you can’t catch a real, deep inhale.

That’s your body’s natural stress button being pressed.

But here’s the magic: you can use your breath to send a little message to your body that says, “Hey, let’s take it down a notch.”

I used to think that breathwork was something fancy that would probably trigger my asthma. But it’s really just paying attention and letting your breath help carry you back to balance.

Breath & the Nervous System

Your breath is like your own built-in mood tracker.

​When you feel calm, your breath is easy and steady. When you’re anxious, upset, or wiped out, it often becomes quick, shallow, or tight.

And your breathing actually talks to your brain. If your breath stays short and tense, it can keep your body on alert. But if you learn to slow it down, you teach your whole self to relax. 

Breathing and the Nervous System 

Your breath and your nervous system often work in tandem. sometimes they pull each other into a panic, and sometimes they lead one another back to calm.

When you breathe fast or hold your breath, your body hears, “Trouble!” and reacts with more stress. Slow, full breaths tell your system, “It’s okay now. You’re safe.”

When that happens, you feel more comfortable, can think more clearly, and are able to connect with yourself and others from a softer place.

Breathwork gives you a quick way to help your body shift gears—from spinning out, to grounded.
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Conscious Breathing

The next time you’re feeling stressed or low, pay attention to your breath.

Are you taking little sips of air? Holding it in your chest? Sighing a lot? Just notice. No judgment.

That simple awareness is powerful.

​When you catch yourself in a stress-breathing loop, you can pause and breathe differently, even if only for a moment. It’s a small change, but it can flip the switch on your mood.

​CONSCIOUS BREATHING

Feelings can sometimes sweep you away. Sometimes you snap, shut down, or say something you wish you hadn’t.

Conscious breathing is like a secret pause button. Even one slow breath gives you a moment's time before you react.

That moment helps you pick your next move instead of reacting on autopilot. It's a good practice to have even during the little hiccups, so that you’re ready for the bigger feelings when they come.

So when something throws you off, pause and take a soft, slow breath. In that tiny moment, you give yourself the power of choice — a chance to respond with kindness, not just react from habit.

And practice will help this become second nature, even when emotions are strong.

See you next time!

​Love, Jeanine