Lockdown, isolation, social distancing, quarantine - all terms that have made their way into everyday use.

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on how we interact with others, go about our lives, our work, our study and many other aspects of our lives. And as we’re facing uncertainty for the coming weeks and possibly months, it’s now more important than ever to look after our mental health.

Mike Wilson, star of TVNZ 1 show The Apprentice Aotearoa, knows all too well the importance of mental health, something he has battled for the past two decades. Recently, he has become fully certified as a Rebirthing Breathwork facilitator and life transformation specialist.

Simply put, breathwork refers to any type of breathing exercise or technique and people often perform breathwork exercises to improve their mental, physical or spiritual well-being. If you’ve ever been to a yoga class you would have heard the instructor reminding you to ‘control your breath’. And at its core, this is what breathwork is all about, breathing consciously, with awareness and with intent.

“Tools like breathwork are exactly what is needed to ensure our mental, spiritual and physical health are all in alignment, which is crucial during these turbulent times” - says Wilson.

So, where do you start? Wilson understands that there’s a mountain of different types of breathwork out there, but suggests starting with a simple daily breath routine, one that he can teach in under two minutes; “this short routine will ensure your immune system is growing stronger, lower your stress levels and bring you out of your mind and into your body, where you will feel more grounded, less reactive and firmly into the present moment rather than the worrying mind.”

Mike Wilson’s five benefits from daily breathwork

*Calmed nervous system, allowing for less stress and lower cortisol levels

*Lowered anxiety as you are brought to the present moment

*Ability to build your immune system higher

*Feeling of being grounded and fulfilled

*Focuses you into your physical body, and out of your head