Stress, anxiety, and panic
The Buteyko Method focuses on restoring calm, light, and efficient breathing. This allows the body to switch back to a state of relaxation more often, reduces the stress response, and gives the nervous system a chance to recover. As a result, symptoms such as anxiety, panic, shortness of breath, and inner restlessness can be reduced.
Why Buteyko helps with stress, anxiety, and panic
You may often hear the advice: “Take a deep breath into your belly.” Now why would this be helpful?
Breathing is directly connected to the autonomic nervous system—and therefore to how safe or unsafe you feel.
The autonomic nervous system has two branches. One is the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares your body to fight or flee (the “stress system”). The other is the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest, recovery, and relaxation (the “rest-and-recovery system”). Both systems are necessary, but they need to remain in balance. After high activation of the stress system (for example, meeting a deadline), the rest-and-recovery system should provide sufficient relaxation and bring the nervous system back into balance.
Breathing as a switch
In the body, breathing functions as a kind of internal switch. The lungs are connected to both branches of the nervous system. The upper chest contains more nerve endings of the stress system, while the lower parts of the lungs contain more nerve endings of the rest-and-recovery system.
When you breathe “high,” fast, and in large volumes, you unconsciously activate the stress system. Your heart rate increases, your breathing speeds up, and your body prepares for danger—even if no real danger is present. What you may experience, however, is anxiety or panic.
When you breathe slowly and calmly with the diaphragm, allowing the air to reach deep into the lungs, this activates the rest-and-recovery system. A longer, relaxed exhalation in particular sends a strong signal to the body: it is safe.
In this way, maintaining a consistently calm breathing pattern makes you less sensitive to experiencing anxiety and panic.
Rate and registration
The standard hourly rate applies to each session. For adults, four (sometimes five) sessions are usually needed, for children two or three sessions.
Via the button below you can immediately make an appointment for the first session or a free telephone consultation.