Breathing exercises influence on psychoemotional state in different age groups

Abstract

The research aims to investigate the potential of employing breathing techniques to restore the psychological and emotional well-being of individuals who have been subjected to prolonged exposure to stress-inducing factors. The recognition of the public's demand for accessible mental health resources has led to the identification of the necessity to assess the efficacy of these interventions. Simultaneously, the matter of age disparities in the implementation of this approach is exposed. Due to the widespread adoption of breathing practices in Ukraine, it is imperative to provide recommendations that are grounded in empirical evidence. Methodology. The sample consisted of 514 individuals, categorised into four primary cohorts: high schoolers, young, young adults, and late adults. The groups were subdivided into equivalent subgroups based on their involvement in breathing practice. The authors utilised the POM-15 scale and the BBC Modified Scale of Subjective Well-being to evaluate psycho-emotional parameters. The statistical analysis employed multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Novelty. This study validates the beneficial impact of breathwork on mental health. Furthermore, the suitability of employing these methods for various age cohorts is assessed, taking into account the consistent lack of variation in the outcomes across different age groups. The importance of selecting specific breathwork methods tailored to the specific issues of the target audience is emphasised. Conclusion. The notable disparity in well-being levels between individuals who engage in regular breathing exercises and those who do not, suggests that this activity has the potential to enhance one's psycho-emotional state. No discrepancies were detected among the examined age cohorts. Breathing exercises are regarded as a cost-effective and non-intrusive approach to tending to the mental health of individuals across various age groups.