Aftercare
Integrating the Reichian Breathwork
Aftercare for breathwork therapy is important to integrate the experience, maintain balance, and ensure the body and mind properly process any emotional or physical releases that occurred during the session. Here are some key aftercare practices:
1. Rest and Relaxation
Take it easy: After a breathwork session, it's important to allow your body to rest. Breathwork can be physically and emotionally intense, so giving yourself time to recover helps integrate the experience.
Gentle movements: Avoid strenuous activities or exercise immediately after the session. Stretching or light yoga can help release any residual tension and promote relaxation.
2. Hydration
Drink plenty of water: Breathwork can stimulate detoxification, releasing toxins through the breath, so staying hydrated helps flush these out of the system.
Herbal teas: Soothing teas like chamomile, peppermint, or ginger can support relaxation and digestion post-session.
3. Emotional Processing
Allow emotions to surface: Breathwork can unlock repressed emotions. Be gentle with yourself if you feel heightened emotions such as sadness, anger, or joy. It’s normal for feelings to emerge after the session - if the urge arises, allow yourself to cry. If feelings of anger or frustration surface, try screaming into a pillow, stomping on the ground, or hitting a pillow.
Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help process the emotional shifts. Journaling can also capture insights or realizations that came up during the breathwork.
Talking to someone: If strong emotions arise, speaking to a therapist, counselor, or a trusted friend can provide support and clarity.
4. Grounding Techniques
Breathwork can sometimes leave you feeling "ungrounded" or spacey, especially if intense emotions or altered states of consciousness were experienced. Grounding helps reconnect you to your body and the present moment.
Walk in nature: Spending time outdoors, especially barefoot, can help you reconnect with the earth and feel more grounded.
Mindful eating: Eat a nutritious, grounding meal after the session.
Body scan meditation: A short body scan meditation can help reestablish connection to your physical sensations and ease any lingering tension.
5. Integration Time
Quiet reflection: Take time to sit quietly or meditate, allowing your body and mind to fully integrate the breathwork experience. This can help you process any realizations or emotions that surfaced.
Avoid distractions: Refrain from jumping into social media, work, or overly stimulating activities. Give yourself space to reflect and unwind.
6. Emotional Support Tools
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Breath awareness: Practice slow, conscious breathing throughout the day to maintain the relaxation and openness achieved during the session.
Affirmations: Positive affirmations can help reinforce the healing process. Reflect on any insights gained during the session and use affirmations to support emotional healing.
7. Sleep and Restful Recovery
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Prioritize sleep: Breathwork sessions can be emotionally and physically taxing, so ensure you get a full night’s rest. Sleep allows the body and mind to heal and restore balance.
Relaxing bedtime routine: Engage in calming activities like a warm bath, reading, or listening to soothing music to promote deep, restful sleep.
8. Mindful Awareness of Physical Sensations
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Observe bodily sensations: Pay attention to how your body feels in the hours and days following the session. Physical sensations such as tingling, warmth, or lightness might be part of the healing process. These should gradually dissipate, but if discomfort persists, consider checking in with your breathwork practitioner.
9. Ongoing Self-Care Practices
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Gentle breathwork: Engage in simple, gentle breathing exercises daily to maintain the benefits of the therapy and prevent stress buildup.
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Meditation: Continuing meditation practice can deepen the emotional and mental benefits of breathwork by fostering mindfulness and awareness.
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Regular movement: Incorporating regular stretching or yoga can further support emotional release and keep the body flexible.
10. Check-in with Your Practitioner
Follow-up: If you experienced intense emotions or physical responses, a follow-up session or debrief with your breathwork therapist and/or talk therapist can help you process and understand the session better.
Continued support: Ongoing therapy or holistic support can help if unresolved issues or emotions surfaced during breathwork. Your therapist may also suggest complementary practices such as chiropractic, bodywork or talk therapy.
Aftercare is about nurturing yourself after the breathwork session, ensuring that
you stay grounded, balanced, and emotionally supported.
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