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Am I alone in my overall skepticism around breathing exercises for healthy adults (sounds like you were working with COVID patients, so maybe more appropriate f

Am I alone in my overall skepticism around breathing exercises for healthy adults (sounds like you were working with COVID patients, so maybe more appropriate for them)? My understanding is that the research is far from conclusive, and "breathe more" seems like too generic advice to really apply in any specific sense. Just screams, "Placebo!" to me. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wheres-the-proof-that-mindfulness-meditation-works1/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wheres-the-proof-... https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/research/divisions/hscr/study/undergradops/kumec/Teachers/Dont-believe-the-hype-(Mindfulness).pdf https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/research/divisions/hscr/study/unde...

hutzlibu 4y ago
"breathe more" I don't think anyone pushes for that, but "breath more mindful". And that breathing exercies work, can be quite good shown for example with people doing extensive ice bathing for example. If you won't breath right there, you will get sick. edit: But your point seems to be more stress related - well, I don't know what all those apps claim, but breathing is a very important body regulation and on of the easiest to influence. Meaning if you pay attention to your breathing and notice they are short and shallow - just starting to breath deep and conscious can put your body into a different state.
eatsyourtacos 4y ago
Ever had a pregnant wife and then one in labor? Ever had a real panic attack and potentially feeling more come on? Ever had a child who is inhaling so rapidly that they cannot calm themselves down? Slow deep intentional breaths work in the above. If you haven't experienced these first hand, then maybe you think it's a bunch of crap. But it is in no way a placebo. Even if you are a "healthy adult", I think the point is that you should practice these types of breathing exercises so you know how to handle situations where you need it. Additionally, I would say even if you don't have extreme stuff like above, teaching yourself how to breathe properly even for exercising is very important. It may sound stupid but a lot of people just don't breath properly when exercising, it's not natural. Just sit there yourself and do some intentional deep breathing for a few moments.. it will feel very different and probably 'good'.
- SpeedilyDamage 4y ago
  While a fair point, “practice” is not how these apps are sold or how wellness breathing is pitched. It’s pitched as a direct solution to general stress, which is the issue I have, as that seems far from consensus. Because of how the placebo effect works, I could do any number of things to feel that “good” effect, and I think that’s important to know.
taylorfinley 4y ago
Most of the other placebos on the market have the potential to cause actual harm of the financial and/or physical sort (see for example homeopathic teething drops that contained toxic levels of Belladonna [0]), at least breathing is relatively inexpensive and mostly harmless. 0: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2017/01/28/fda-toxic-belladonna-in-homeopathic-teething-products/?sh=72f077d240dd https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2017/01/28/fda-toxic-b...

hutzlibu 4y ago

"breathe more" I don't think anyone pushes for that, but "breath more mindful". And that breathing exercies work, can be quite good shown for example with people doing extensive ice bathing for example. If you won't breath right there, you will get sick. edit: But your point seems to be more stress related - well, I don't know what all those apps claim, but breathing is a very important body regulation and on of the easiest to influence. Meaning if you pay attention to your breathing and notice they are short and shallow - just starting to breath deep and conscious can put your body into a different state.

eatsyourtacos 4y ago

Ever had a pregnant wife and then one in labor? Ever had a real panic attack and potentially feeling more come on? Ever had a child who is inhaling so rapidly that they cannot calm themselves down? Slow deep intentional breaths work in the above. If you haven't experienced these first hand, then maybe you think it's a bunch of crap. But it is in no way a placebo. Even if you are a "healthy adult", I think the point is that you should practice these types of breathing exercises so you know how to handle situations where you need it. Additionally, I would say even if you don't have extreme stuff like above, teaching yourself how to breathe properly even for exercising is very important. It may sound stupid but a lot of people just don't breath properly when exercising, it's not natural. Just sit there yourself and do some intentional deep breathing for a few moments.. it will feel very different and probably 'good'.

SpeedilyDamage 4y ago
While a fair point, “practice” is not how these apps are sold or how wellness breathing is pitched. It’s pitched as a direct solution to general stress, which is the issue I have, as that seems far from consensus. Because of how the placebo effect works, I could do any number of things to feel that “good” effect, and I think that’s important to know.

taylorfinley 4y ago

Most of the other placebos on the market have the potential to cause actual harm of the financial and/or physical sort (see for example homeopathic teething drops that contained toxic levels of Belladonna [0]), at least breathing is relatively inexpensive and mostly harmless. 0: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2017/01/28/fda-toxic-belladonna-in-homeopathic-teething-products/?sh=72f077d240dd https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2017/01/28/fda-toxic-b...