Abby Foxon discusses how breathwork transformed her life and how it can support hormone regulation and alleviate period pain.
Name: Abby Foxon
Day job: Pranayama Breathwork Facilitator
Location: Perth, WA
What first drew you to breathwork?
Chaotic life events led to some unhealthy coping mechanisms in my late teens and early twenties. I struggled with eating disorders, binge drinking, low self-worth, and self-sabotaging behaviours.
After a huge wake-up call, I knew I couldn’t continue living that way, so I started seeking ways to heal. That’s how I discovered the incredible practice of breathwork.
Connecting to my breath allows me to navigate life feeling guided, connected, and in alignment. When hard moments arise, breathwork is always there to help me through. It has been the most powerful tool in my mental, emotional, and physical well-being journey.
Overall, what’s your personal approach to self-care?
- A good nap. If I feel overwhelmed, upset, or stuck in my mind, a nap breaks the circuit and brings me back into alignment.
- Breathwork and meditation. These practices have completely changed my life and are non-negotiable each day.
- Journaling. I have kept a journal since primary school. It is a helpful way to process what is happening in my life.
- Cleaning my home. I love to potter.
How does stress impact the menstrual cycle?
When life overwhelms you, your body increases cortisol production (the stress hormone), which can throw off the balance of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone. When your hormones are out of balance, it can significantly affect your periods.
You might get your period early, late, or even miss it for a month. It can also impact your flow - some people experience much heavier periods, while others have lighter ones. In some cases, chronic stress can prevent ovulation (the release of an egg), which can be especially challenging when trying to conceive.
Stress can also make PMS worse, leading to mood swings, cramps, and fatigue - basically, everything you don’t want when you're already stressed.
How can breathwork help regulate it?
Practising breathwork activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which has a calming effect on the body and helps reduce stress. When you’re less stressed, cortisol levels drop, allowing your hormones to regulate and leading to a more regular cycle.
Breathwork also stimulates the part of the brain responsible for releasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin. These hormones can be incredibly helpful in managing PMS, PMDD, mood swings, and anxiety.
Benefits of Breathwork:
- Improved quality of sleep
- Improved immune system
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Reduced symptoms of depression
- Increased energy levels
- Improved mood and overall well-being
- Reduced toxins in the body
- Promotes focus and mental clarity
Can breathwork impact pain perception?
Absolutely! Breathwork can shift how you experience pain. When you use breathwork to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, it can help reduce the intensity of pain. Breathing techniques release tension in both the body and mind, allowing you to calm down and tune out discomfort.
Are there specific breathing techniques for menstrual cramps?
Diaphragmatic breathing (where you breathe deeply into your belly rather than your chest). On each inhale, fill your belly like a balloon. On the exhale, feel your belly button move back towards your spine. Extend the exhale longer than the inhale. For example, inhale through the nose for 4 seconds and exhale through the nose for 6 seconds.
What’s the best way to prepare the body before a breathwork session?
The good thing about breathwork is that you can practice it anywhere, at any time. You can observe your breath while stuck in traffic, at the shops, when walking, having a shower, or behind your computer screen.
For an intentional practice, you can be seated or lying down. Find a safe, comfortable place, close your eyes, and be free from distractions.
What other wellness practices are helpful for period pain relief?
Yin/Restorative Yoga is a great practice to complement breathwork for pain relief.
What’s your hope for the future of period talk?
At times, I would feel shame around having big emotions during my cycle. I think more understanding and compassion around these feelings would be amazing.
What’s your number one health message?
‘Life begins with our first breath and will end after our last. To contemplate breathing is to contemplate life itself.'
MY CYCLE
- My period in 3 words: Tears, letting go, slow.
- Period self-care means: A time for being slow and making time for rest without guilt.
- Period self-care toolkit: Tony’s chocolate, breathwork and meditation.
- Contraception of choice: I have been on the contraceptive pill for many years and hope to be off it one day soon (I’m scared).
- On day 1, you'll find me: Eating something yum.
- Scarlet pick: Period underwear.
