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The Benefits of Mindful Breathing

Kristine Dewar, M.A., R.P., C.C.C.
Nov 8, 2025
1 min read

Mindful breathing is a conscious exercise; one in which we purposefully carve out some time (even 5 minutes) to pay attention to our breathing. The basics include:

  • Pick a quiet location, free of distraction.

  • Close your eyes and turn your attention inward to your breathing.

  • Slow your breaths; inhale through the nose, expanding your belly. Exhale slowly.

  • If your attention shifts from breathing, that is okay. Gently encourage it back to the simple act of breathing - in and out.

The benefits of mindful breathing include:

  • It inhibits anxiety, decreasing stress and worry.

  • It distracts us from the things we can't control and reminds us that we are capable of facing challenges.

  • It helps to still ruminating thoughts.

  • It slows the heart rate, decreasing pain and the body's stress response.

  • It helps us to recognize calm.

  • It helps us to feel more centered and increases our self-control.

  • It inhibits anger; allowing our rational brain some space.

  • It helps the brain to focus.

When we practice mindful breathing on a daily basis - this can become a lovely anchor activity - we are proactively working with our comfort system to feel grounded and secure. In order to get started, it may help to listen to a guided mindful breathing exercise (there are countless examples on Youtube!) Photo by abhijeet gourav on Unsplash

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Land Acknowledgement

The West Champlain Family Health Team acknowledges it is located upon the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin People and respects the traditional knowledge and healing developed over generations. We have the privilege and responsibility to serve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis of many backgrounds and from many treaty and non-treaty lands and territories, and to demonstrate respect for the contributions and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.

 

Iye West Champlain Family Health Team ogíkikenindánáwá taniziwadj ondaje Algonquin Anishinábe tanakíwin ega ka mígiwewadj iyo kichi Anishinábewakí ashidj odapítenindánáwá kikádjichigewin ashidj mino nódjimowin ka pamíkán pinawígo. Nínawind d’ayánánán shawenimigoziwin ashidj inenindágoziwin kidji wídókáwadag Anishinábeg, Abitawizíg ashidj Kíwedinóg máneg wendjibáwadj ashidj níbina nakondiwin ashidj ega akíng ashidj tanakíwinan ashidj kidji wábandayá apítenindagoziwin ondji ka mígiwewadj ashidj pimádjiwowinan ogo Anishinábeg Pemádizidjig.

 

The West Champlain Family Health Team is grateful to the Indigenous Health Circle (which works in collaboration with The Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn and the Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team) for sharing a meaningful land acknowledgement both in English and Omámíwininímowin (the Algonquin Anishinábe language), which is the basis of our own.

© 2023 by West Champlain FHT

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