Is Breathwork Bad for You? 10 Reasons Why You Should Say No to Breathing Exercises
The rising popularity of breathwork has a lot of people asking the question: “What is breathwork exactly?” A fair question to ask of anything new on your radar. But for those who are a bit more suspicious (read: skeptical), another question quickly comes to mind when conversations start leaning towards the “magic” healing abilities of “ancient” breathing techniques:
Is breathwork bad for you?
The reasoning behind this rather swift transition from “Hey, what is this?” to “I don’t think this is good for you” is layered, but the easiest way to explain it is that people assume that if something seems too simple, there must be more to it. In the case of breathwork, which promises a massive list of potential benefits ranging from reduced anxiety to enhanced performance, people often question why they haven’t heard of it and its powerful effects before.
If it’s this simple and this good for you, there must be something wrong with it!
If breathwork really is as amazing as it sounds, why haven’t you heard of it? Or, more importantly, why haven’t you been using it?
All valid questions.
Of course, the simple answer is: You do know how powerful breathing techniques are and you have been using breathing exercises – you just didn’t know it.
The reason why “breathwork” feels new is because the terminology is new. The concept of breathing, including using your breath to change how you’re feeling, is certainly not new. Almost all of us are familiar with the changes we experience in our breathing when we’re excited or nervous. We’re also aware of the power of slowing down our breathing or taking deep breaths. Who hasn’t heard a parent, friend or mentor say, “Just take some deep breaths,” especially in those big life moments?
The difference between accidentally stumbling into a breathwork exercise (i.e. deep breaths in moments of stress) and consciously practicing breathwork is that it creates opportunities for your entire body and mind to be rewired. When you leverage breathwork mindfully and regularly, you allow yourself to be repatterned so that everything begins to operate at its highest potential.
Still unsure about breathwork? Here’s the “professional” answer as to whether or not breathing exercises are safe to practice.
Is Breathwork Dangerous to Practice or Bad For You?
Almost all experts will agree that breathing exercises are safe for just about everybody. With very few risks for the majority of the population and with increasing evidence of the plentitude of benefits, breathwork continues to grow in popularity because it’s easy to practice and, yes, one of the safest things you can do to improve your overall health and well-being.
If you’re feeling hesitant about practicing breathwork, one of the best things you can do is to find a trusted coach or expert who can guide you through specific exercises. These guided breathing sessions will help you build confidence so that you can continue to practice certain techniques on your own. And because you’ll feel like you’re in good hands, these guided sessions are super helpful in getting you to relax so that you can enjoy all of the benefits that breathwork has to offer.
With that said, it’s true that breathwork isn’t for everyone. In fact, there’s a portion of the population that really should avoid practicing breathing exercises.
Here’s why…
10 Reasons Why You Really Should Say No To Breathing Exercises And Other Breathwork Practices
Intuitively, breathwork just doesn’t feel right for you
There are lots of reasons why breathwork could be contraindicated for you. If you have any doubts and then start to peruse the internet for guidance, you’ll only be led to believe that, yes, breathing exercises really aren’t for you. And you might just be right. However, if you feel instinctively like a breathing session might unlock something good – then trust that. Breathing is inherently one of the safest things you can try when it comes to improving your overall health and wellness. Of course, if you came here for affirmation as to why breathwork isn’t your cup of tea, then here are some of the most referenced reasons why you should be avoiding it:
Severe mental illness. Things like depression, PTSD, and anxiety can all be aided by breathwork. And, for a lot of individuals, certain breathwork sessions and breathing techniques help to decrease side effects that make life challenging. However, breathwork should never replace any advice or prescriptions given by doctors or other mental health experts without getting their approval first. In some cases, individuals report that certain breathing exercises actually make their condition amplified.
Seizure disorders. People who experience seizures should understand the effects that certain breathing techniques have on the body and mind. While not always the case, sometimes modifying the amount of oxygen your body is receiving (either a dramatic increase or decrease) can trigger a seizure. Consulting a trusted professional before experimenting with breathwork could be a good idea if seizures are part of your medical history.
History of aneurysms. Like seizures, individuals who have experienced an aneurysm or who have a family history of aneurysms can consider consulting a medical professional before beginning a breathwork session. Because some breathing exercises modify the amount of oxygen in your body, which can then impact how your blood circulates, looking more closely at specific breathwork practices could be recommended.
Vision issues. Did you know that your nose and mouth aren’t the only ways your body receives oxygen? Your eyes actually take in oxygen, too. For this reason, people with severe vision problems, like detached retinas or glaucoma, should consider how some breathing exercises can impact the eyes and their ability to see clearly.
Medications. All medications have side effects, all of them varying widely depending on your overall health and, of course, the medication itself. While most breathing exercises have zero impact on the efficacy of medications, individuals with stronger prescriptions, like antipsychotics, should consider consulting their healthcare professional before trying longer breathwork sessions.
Recent injury or surgery. If you recently had a severe injury or major surgery and are considering trying breathwork, it might be a good idea to ask your doctor or healthcare provider if there are any breathing techniques or exercises that should be avoided before you begin a breathwork session. Be sure that an exercise doesn’t impact your body’s ability to recover and heal.
Cardiovascular issues. While breathwork has been proven to reduce blood pressure and regulate heart rate, individuals with severe heart problems (like heart disease and cardiac arrhythmia) can consult their doctor to be sure that there aren’t certain breathing exercises that should be avoided. The same is true for anyone who has experienced a recent heart attack or any other heart condition.
Pregnancy. Certain breathing exercises, especially where the breath is retained for long periods of time or where the diaphragm is contracted quickly and powerfully, are not recommended for women who are pregnant. While most gentle and relaxed breathing practices are both safe and recommended during pregnancy, women can check with their healthcare provider if they have any specific questions.
2. Your religious beliefs make you scared or doubtful. There’s a lot that can be said about how breathing connects you to spirit, whether with a capital S or just your “go-team-go” spirit. With that said, some people have inherent (or adopted) beliefs that make them wary of breathwork. If that’s you, that’s okay. Trying to force something that’s going to leave you feeling more confused or out of alignment with who you are isn’t going to do you any good – no matter how beneficial that thing could be. If the time is ever right for you to try breathwork, you’ll know because you won’t feel conflicted.
3. You're 100% happy with where your life is right now – and where it’s going. Breathwork is known for being capable of major transformations, giant shifts, and mind-blowing revelations. If you’re totally cool with staying exactly as you are and where you are, then you might want to pass on the breathwork-vehicle altogether.
4. You’re only willing to try something if you can prove it’s “really” working. While there are a lot of studies and research that can support just how beneficial breathing exercises are, there’s still a lot of mystery behind some of the side effects of breathwork. Certain things, like having visitations from deceased loved ones or manifesting money through visualizations with breathwork, are just … difficult to explain through “accepted” science. For some people, not knowing exactly what’s happening or that the time they spend doing something will 100% result in the outcome they’re looking for makes them closed off to even trying something new. If that’s you, no worries.
5. You live for everyone around you approving of your life choices. Not everyone accepts or understands how breathing exercises work or why anyone would invest time in practicing breathwork. That means that you’ll come across people who act a bit (or a lot) judgy when you share what you’re up to with breathwork. Therefore, you have two options: First, keep your breathwork sessions and results private. Second, avoid breathing exercises altogether so that you never have to worry about what other people might think. (Oh yeah, there’s a third option too: stop caring so much about other people’s opinions and focus on what you need to live your best life.)
6. You’re a by-the-book rule follower who hates the unknown and/or mysteries. Even though breathing is totally natural (and obviously necessary), some people are just turned off by the idea of practicing something that feels a bit esoteric. Yes, more and more people are turning to breathing exercises to help them live more fully and in full-health, but it’s still not something you might consider “mainstream.” Why? Because it’s not always easy to explain why it works or how it has the powerful effects it does. If a bit of magic and mystery make you want to turn the other way, then keeping breathwork off your radar is probably the best idea.
7. You are totally uncomfortable with being uncomfortable. Some side effects of breathwork can make people feel outside of their comfort zone – which is kind of the point. However, if you’re concerned about how certain breathing practices might make you feel, here are some of the “discomforts” you might experience with certain types of exercises:
Dizziness. One of the most common side effects of breathing exercises, dizziness is often a sign that you’re not practicing a certain type of breathwork correctly. If you regularly find yourself dizzy or lightheaded after a breathwork session, ask a coach or professional for advice and guidance.
Numbness or tingling. Hyperventilation can lead to your extremities (arms, hands, legs, feet) feeling tingly or even becoming numb. Even if you’re not hyperventilating during a breathing practice, modifying the amount of oxygen in your body (and therefore your blood circulation) can result in numbness or tingling as well. If you do experience numbness or tingling, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re doing a breathwork exercise wrong, but it is something you should be aware of, especially if it continues to happen.
Chest pain. Breathing exercises impact your respiratory and circulatory systems. As a result, some individuals may feel pain or discomfort in their chest during or after a breathing practice. If this occurs, most experts recommend stopping the exercise and resting as your breath returns to normal. If the pain persists after you’ve stopped modifying your breathing patterns, then you may want to seek help from a medical professional.
Heartbeat changes. While it’s common for you to notice your heart changing pace during breathing exercises, you’ll want to pay close attention if your heartbeat becomes too irregular or worrisome. If you are hyperventilating during a breathing practice, changes in your heartbeat will occur. Individuals who experience heart palpitations and other heart issues should consult their healthcare provider before taking on any advanced breathwork practice or long session.
Changes in vision. Because your eyes actually take in oxygen when you breathe, it’s possible for breathing exercises to result in blurred or clouded vision. Typically these changes only occur with advanced or difficult breathing practices and will only last a short amount of time. If you notice your vision changing while practicing breathing exercises or after you’ve practiced a breathwork session, take note. By returning your breath to normal, the changes in your vision should subside.
Ringing in ears. If you already experience tinnitus, then it’s possible that breathwork can make it worse or more noticeable. Everyone, however, could experience ringing in their ears with certain advanced breathing techniques because of how they limit the amount of oxygen the body is receiving. If you notice your ears start ringing during a breathwork session, take a break and return your breath to normal.
Increased distress. While breathing exercises are typically recommended for people who experience stress and anxiety, certain breathing exercises can actually make people feel worse. Depending on which breathwork practice you’re using, your personal history, and current state of health, you may feel like an exercise perpetuates or increases the distress you’re experiencing. If this is the case, talk to a coach or expert after you’ve journaled about what’s happened. It’s a personal decision as to whether or not you’ll want to try that specific breathing exercise again.
8. Your current labels have already formed your opinion about breathwork. No matter how powerful breathing exercises are, your mind is incredibly strong, too. If you’re completely convinced that breathwork is a waste of time and that it’s impossible that it will ever help you, then you’re 100% right.
9. You enjoy taking sick days and having plenty of excuses about why you can’t do “all the things. While most people love practicing breathwork because the exercises help them feel their best (and even prevent them from getting sick), some people truly enjoy being a victim. Andrew Weil, a MD and author of Spontaneous Healing says, “Improper breathing is a common cause of ill health.” He goes on to say that his one tip for living a healthier life is “simply to learn how to breathe correctly. There is no single more powerful – or more simple – daily practice to further your health and wellbeing than breathwork.” In other words, if you live for sick days and enjoy having excuses so that you never have to reach your full potential, then avoid breathwork altogether.
10. You’re legitimately addicted to stress and need it to thrive in life. As much as people will talk about how they want to have less stress in their lives, the reality is that some of us are now so hardwired for stress that we can’t function without it. If your stress addiction is serious, to the point that you create stress in order to feel that high, then you might want to trade the time you’d spend practicing breathwork for scrolling through social media.
Still with us? Awesome. If those reasons for not practicing breathwork didn’t scare you away, then you can get started with guided breathwork sessions by clicking here.
