Bioenergetics: how physical exercise and breathing help release tension and boost physical and mental energy

Getting any type of exercise on a regular basis and concentrating on breathing are two healthy and natural methods for managing stress.

When it comes to energy, health is more than just the absence of illness or having biochemical markers in normal ranges. Because, as Amalia Rubio, head of the SHA Wellness Clinic Energy Unit, tells us, “health is a positive state, a radiant whole in which vital energy flows smoothly, ensuring that the body is always ready to respond to different stimuli, both internal and external, maintaining harmony and communication between all its parts”.

This vital energy, which allows us to function and perform at our best when in balance, has been known for millennia: it is called Qi in traditional Chinese medicine; in Ayurveda, Prana, and in bioenergetics it is the electrical frequency at which each of our organs and systems works, such as the heartbeat, the body’s ability to regulate itself, breathing, keeping the blood warm or in metabolic processes. “With the use of technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging, radio frequency and bioimpedance and diagnostic devices such as Prognos, we measure the body’s electromagnetic field and detect the causes and location of possible weak or disturbed points and energetic blockages before physical symptoms appear. We can then correct them and prevent future illnesses or diseases. This is why bioenergetics is a preventive therapy”, says the expert.

Getting exercise is a very healthy way to release built-up tension and boost physical and mental energy. As Amalia says, “physical exercise helps keep energy flowing correctly because, during exercise, the body releases endorphins and hormones, such as oxytocin, which improve mood and act as natural painkillers, favouring relaxation and stress management. Also, when we exercise, a process called piezoelectricity occurs in the bones, which strengthens both bone mass and cardiovascular health. Of course, it is important to choose a type of exercise (running, swimming, dancing, etc.) that makes you feel good and that you enjoy doing, because you’ll boost your energy and happiness more when you do something you enjoy”.

Focusing on breathing is another natural way to prevent energy imbalances. “When tension builds up and we become stressed, the sympathetic nervous system activates the fight or flight response by secreting hormones, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, to cope with the situation. This causes us to experience physical symptoms, such as an increased heart rate or faster breathing. Focusing awareness on the present through breathing, slowing it down and deepening it, helps to release tension and calm down. There are different breathing techniques (diaphragmatic, abdominal, pranayama, alternating, conscious) and they all stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls, balances and regulates the relaxation response. Finally, laughter and a sense of humour are essential because, by laughing, we reduce the stress response and the muscles relax. That’s why I always say that a day without laughter is a day lost”, concludes Amalia.