Focusing on your breathing can be very important for a variety of reasons. Usually, long and deep breaths in and out are used as a way of relaxation, a simple way to reduce both physical and psychological stress. Research has shown that this actually works. However, a recently published study has shown that there is another reason to control your breathing. The way you breathe in and out influences how you react to danger. How exactly does this happen? More recently, researchers have explored this issue in depth through a series of experiments.
New data
The study authors analyzed material from several people with epilepsy. Before the operation, special implants were installed, with the help of which doctors controlled their patients' seizures. In addition, these implants have helped research assess the brain activity of patients. It was found that the cycles of alternating inhalation and exhalation are associated with the activity of certain areas of the brain that control emotions and memories of a person.
To study the phenomenon in more detail, the authors of the study recruited a group of healthy people to the experiment. They were shown a series of images of faces that showed surprise or fear. Emotions had to be named as quickly as possible. In doing so, the researchers monitored the brain activity of the participants in the experiment. As a result, it was found that, observing fear, people react faster, while inhaling through the nose. If they breathe out, the reaction is slower. Such a reaction is not associated with pictures with surprise. People who breathe through the mouth have not shown this connection either. In another experiment, the researchers asked participants to memorize a series of images - it was easier to remember when inhaling. As a result, scientists were able to collect comprehensive information about the connection between respiration and brain activity.
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Research findings
The data obtained caused controversy in the scientific community. Perhaps this is one of the key pieces of information for studying the fight-or-flight response. This is a mechanism of accelerated breathing that saturates the body with additional oxygen in case of danger. Perhaps this reaction also has psychological benefits, allowing a person to more quickly evaluate information and remember it. Knowing about this effect, you can use this mechanism to your advantage.
Fast breathing helps to store memories
We can draw the following conclusion: in a panic state, a person breathes faster, because the body's forces are mobilized. A similar effect can be obtained without a stressful situation, simply by controlling your breathing. If you inhale more often, the brain receives more oxygen, which strengthens its functions, as a result of which you think faster. If you want to make your mind more efficient, just breathe deeper. This will help you concentrate on your studies or work. What's more, by inhaling deeper into the important moments of your life, you can keep the memories of those moments longer.
Marina Ilyushenko