Curbing the Mental Health Crisis One Breath at a Time

We can’t afford to ignore the global mental health crisis much longer. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions worldwide suffer from dangerous levels of depression and anxiety. Our always-connected lifestyles ironically wreak havoc on our ability to connect meaningfully with our loved ones and ourselves. The World Economic Forum claims that 12 billion working days are lost annually to depression and anxiety, which costs nearly $1 trillion in lost productivity per year.

As mental health challenges grow, new treatment avenues are opening up, and old ones are being reconsidered. In the United States, Australia, and Europe, psychedelics such as psilocybin and ketamine are being decriminalized to combat mental health challenges. But what if there was a simple solution under our noses that doesn’t require any outside medicine?

Our breath is an indicator of our mental state. Have you noticed how your breath changes throughout the day? When we are anxious, our breath can feel restricted. A couple of deep breaths can do wonders to release stress and facilitate relaxation. It’s one of the oldest practices in the book.

Historically, various cultures have used the breath for spiritual rituals, community cohesion, and mental health. For example, the breath animates consciousness in the Jewish mystical…