Breathing Practices and the Power of Pause
How mindful breathing supports balance, and how some customers pair it with CBD for added wellness
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget something as simple—and powerful—as the breath. Yet studies show that deep, intentional breathing is one of the most accessible ways to activate the body’s relaxation response and counterbalance daily stress.
How Breathing Exercises Support the Nervous System
When you take slow, deep breaths, you’re doing more than just inhaling air. You’re triggering your parasympathetic nervous system—often referred to as the “rest and digest” system. This activation helps:
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Lower heart rate and blood pressure
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Reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone)
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Improve focus and emotional regulation
A 2017 study published in Frontiers in Psychology showed that participants who engaged in slow-paced breathing experienced significantly reduced anxiety and increased emotional well-being over time (Zaccaro et al., 2017). Another review in Harvard Health Publishing emphasized how breathwork can help calm the amygdala, the brain’s fear center, making it a helpful practice for managing anxious thoughts.
Try This: Box Breathing (A Navy SEAL Favorite)
Box breathing is a structured technique that’s easy to do anytime you need to reset. Here’s how:
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Inhale for 4 counts
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Hold for 4 counts
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Exhale for 4 counts
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Hold for 4 counts
Repeat for 2–4 minutes, focusing on your breath and posture.
Other common techniques include:
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4-7-8 Breathing (inhale 4, hold 7, exhale 8)
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Alternate nostril breathing
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Simple belly breathing
Where CBD Fits In
At The CBD Store, many of our customers have shared how they incorporate CBD into their breathing or mindfulness rituals. While we don’t make medical claims, we do know that the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a key role in maintaining balance—or homeostasis—within the nervous system.
The ECS is a complex network of receptors that helps regulate mood, stress response, and more. CBD interacts with this system in a variety of ways, and for some, this connection makes CBD an appealing option as part of a calming daily ritual.
Pairing breathwork with a CBD tincture, topical, or gummy is a practice many of our community members say helps them feel more grounded and present.
Sources:
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Zaccaro, A. et al. (2018). How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
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Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response.Harvard Health
Ready to try a mindful moment?
Come by The CBD Store to explore thoughtfully selected products and learn how our customers are building wellness routines that feel natural and restorative. Whether you’re curious about CBD or want to talk mindfulness, we’re here to support your journey.
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