In the wake of World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2024 and the focus on mental health this month, we look at one of the many ways we can improve our state of mind and our health in general.

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables our body to function optimally. When we are mentally healthy, we can make rational decisions, learn and work well, cope with life’s stresses, and positively contribute to our community. Mental health is more than an absence of mental disorders. We are unique and have various experiences of the world based on our mental well-being.

Our mental health is under attack. The complexities and atrocities of daily life directly impact our state of mind and being. We need only look at our world and see what people are enduring - war, loss, grief, insecurity, starvation, homelessness, poverty. The list is endless. The addiction, depression and suicide statistics are alarming, especially among the younger generation.

Mental health challenges can be treated, rehabilitated and managed in various ways, from simple conversations to chronic medications.

The brain controls breathing, an automatic process in which the lungs absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. When stressed or anxious, our breathing patterns change and the balance of gases in the body is disrupted. Small, shallow breaths and hyperventilation can increase stress and prolong anxiety. 

Scientific studies show that breathing correctly and controlling your breath can reduce stress and promote relaxation. A relaxed breathing pattern calms the nervous system, which results in physiological changes in the body, such as lowered blood pressure and heart rate, reduced stress hormones in the blood (stopping the “fight or flight”), balanced blood gases, and increased physical energy, as well as feelings of calm and well-being.

In the Bible, the breath is a powerful symbol of God’s presence. God created the vast expanse of life-giving air that surrounds us and that we breathe. God breathed life into Adam's nostrils, and he became a living being. There are many references to breathwork in the Scriptures. God graciously answered Moses and gave the name YHWH - breathing sounds - YH inhale, and WH exhale.

Can we say Christianity and breathwork are synonymous? Can we combine breathwork and Scripture, breathwork and prayer or breathwork and contemplation? Taking a breath, calming our body, and stilling our mind allows us to increase our self-knowledge. When we control and regulate our breath, we can centre our thoughts and prayers on Jesus Christ and connect with God.

Breath prayers have been used for centuries. A word or short sentence is taken directly from Scripture, broken in half, and prayed as you inhale and exhale. E.g. Inhale and pray “Jesus”, exhale and pray “Christ”. When practising breath prayers, we cultivate the discipline of being still and drawing closer to God, giving ourselves a chance to find our strength in Christ and fill our minds with God’s peace. 

Breath prayers won’t cure stress and anxiety or replace therapy and medication, but they can help you quiet your soul and intentionally focus on Christ. In the chaos of life, let each breath draw you closer to peace, reminding you that while healing is a journey, you’re never alone on the path. Embrace the moments of stillness—your spirit deserves it.