While Breathwork and meditation are both powerful tools for personal growth and wellbeing, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Each practice offers its own unique benefits, and which technique works best for you may depend on your individual preferences/goals. Meditation can be a great way to quiet the mind and become more aware of the present moment. Breathwork can be a powerful tool for releasing stress, anxiety, and emotional blockages. 

The big question still remains…which one is better?

Again, it comes down to preference and/or desired result – however – studies show that 3 minutes of Breathwork is proven to have stronger INSTANT results on the body and the brain as compared to 3 minutes of meditation.

Science-Backed Study on the Power of Breath

A recently published study out of Stanford University compared several breathwork methods with standard meditation. It found that breathwork (specifically something called cyclic sighing) was the most effective at improving mood, managing respiratory rate, and easing stress.

For this research, over 100 participants practiced one of four methods of mindfulness for five minutes every day for one month. The methods tested were:

• Cyclic Sighing (the winner): Focused on extended periods of exhale with two nasal inhales to full lungs followed by a full exhale through the mouth
• Box Breathing: Included four equally timed segments of breath: inhale, hold, exhale, and hold
• Cyclic Hyperventilation: Involved deep nasal inhales and full-mouth exhales (25 cycles) followed by 25–30 seconds of breath holding with emptied lungs
• Standard Meditation: Had no structured breathing and instead focused on mindful meditation strategies

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to explore what works for them and find the practice that suits them best! Looking to give Breathwork a try? Download The Breath Source App and experience what just 3 minutes of conscious breathing can do for you.