Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

I forget to breathe.

Lily Johnson

--

I started doing it again — holding my breath, that is. It’s funny, isn’t it? We all have this incredible tool, right under our noses (quite literally), yet we often forget to use it. I know the benefits of deep, mindful breathing; I’ve even written about it in my previous piece, “Did You Breathe Today? Harnessing the Superpower Within: Discover the Magic of Your Breath!” But here I am, typing away, holding my breath without even realizing it.

Let’s be honest. Life gets busy. Anxiety creeps in, and before we know it, we’re caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, responsibilities, and that constant pressure to keep moving forward. In moments like these, it’s easy to overlook the simplest yet most profound act — breathing. But when I do remember to pause, inhale deeply, and exhale with intention, it’s like hitting a reset button for my mind and body.

Body-Brain Connection: Breath is the bridge between our body and brain. It’s the link that brings us back to the present moment, grounding us when we’re spiraling into anxiety or stress. When we take those intentional breaths, we’re not just filling our lungs with air; we’re giving our brain a much-needed signal to slow down, to relax, to be here now.

I know it works because I’ve felt the benefits firsthand. The Calm-Your-Crazy-Brain Breath, the Ocean Wave Breath — they’ve saved me more times than I can count. And…

--

--