Five ways you can learn to breathe again

Breathing.  Such a simple and obvious part of our wellbeing and yet it turns out, most of us really aren’t making the most of this most magical process for ensuring good health and stress management.  The good news is, help is out there.

Thermal suites at Ardencote,  Warwickshire

Thermal suites have a wealth of health benefits and are an extremely good way to prepare for a spa treatment.  However, they are also very much a treatment in their own right.

At Ardencote's thermal spa they emphasise the wellbeing benefits of the thermal suite, from the aromatherapy steam room to the Tyrolean Kilo Sauna.  

Easing muscles and helping to soothe stress, the process also encourages deeper and easier breathing. In particular, the Himalayan salt sauna helps to reduce inflammation and mucus in the lungs, helping you to feel and breathe better.

Celtic Sauna ritual at Galgorm Resort and Spa, Ireland

Taking the thermal experience to the next level, Galgorm Resort and Spa in Ireland offers a unique Celtic Sauna Ritual.  

Overlooking the splendid grounds of the estate, which is automatically a mood booster, they imbue the experience with essential oils to achieve different objectives such as eucalyptus for breathing and lung capacity.  

Favoured for everything from sports injury rehab to relaxation, it’s generally great for detox as it forces blood back to the organs and improves the immune system. They recommend it if you’ve been working out to support muscle recovery as well as the cardiac and respiratory systems.

Go to the beach at Source Spa and Wellness at Saunton Sands, Devon

That feeling of relaxation when you’re sitting with your toes in the sand and breathing in the sea air is not just a matter of having no phone signal.

It’s what scientists are calling ‘blue space’ - a reaction in your brain when you’re overloaded with positive sensations, not unlike being hypnotised.  The reason the beach promotes this feeling so powerfully? It’s the fusion of sea, sand, space and fresh air - all working in tandem to produce different elements of feel good factor in a completely natural and healthy way.

In particular, the elevated oxygen levels are believed to encourage deep breathing.  The extent to which that’s all proven we are a little unclear on, but we do know intuitively that there’s something about being at the beach that encourages us to breathe a little more deeply. Anyway, we don’t need much of an excuse to give a trip to the beach a go.

The Mind Therapy Room at Rockliffe Hall

Described as a ‘treatment for the brain’ that takes a massage to a whole new level, The Mind Therapy Room at Rockliffe Hall combines quantum harmonic audio therapy and a highly efficient vibration massage system on a dedicated bed (Wave Bed technology). So essentially, you lay down and this takes a massage to a whole new level, supporting meditation and mindfulness as well. The side effects of the treatment are many, but importantly, it's said to help reduce stress and encourage deeper and calmer breathing in the process.

Experience the Oxygen Pod at Rudding Park

An interesting concept leveraging three different components, the oxygen pod at Rudding Park pumps up to nine litres of concentrated oxygen into the room per minute. Normal air is about 21% oxygen but this is 27%. Within this beautiful spa, it's one of many facilities designed to turn the spa experience into a treatment in its own right. The increased oxygen has multiple benefits including supporting the immune system. The space also includes a dry salt mist, which helps to support the respiratory system. Curious? Read more...