Today, we’re chatting with Claire, the creator of Breathe Into Peace. Claire’s journey began when she discovered that traditional talk therapy didn’t fully address her body’s tension and stress.
It was only when she tried breathwork that she experienced a significant emotional release, leading her to develop the Breathing Necklace. This piece serves as a daily reminder to take a moment and breathe, aiming to help others find a sense of safety and comfort. Claire shares her story of how breath work helped unlock deep-seated trauma, inspiring her to design jewelry that combines style with function.
Claire, was there a specific event or realisation that sparked the idea for Breathe Into Peace?
For quite some time, I navigated the path of talk therapy and counselling in search of mental wellness, yet my body remained in high tension and stress. It wasn’t until I encountered breathwork that I truly understood healing; a single session unlocked a profound release of deep-rooted trauma, giving me a great sense of safety and comfort within my own body.
This revelation birthed the Breathing Necklace, a creation born out of the transformative power of breath. Designed as a daily reminder to engage in mindful breathing, this necklace is more than jewellery—it’s a beacon of hope and healing, guiding us toward inner peace through the simple, yet profound, act of breathing. It’s an invitation to explore the profound healing potential that resides within us- we all have the strength to heal deeply.
In developing wearable functional jewellery, you’ve taken a unique approach to anxiety relief. Could you tell us more about how these pieces work and the science behind them?
*Our wearables are designed and co-created with our clients. Breathing increases oxygen to the brain and all body cells and induces a sense of calm. It is scientifically proven to release stress and anxiety and reduce heart rate, panic attacks, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. (Vancampfort D,2016, Streeter CC 2017)
The patent-awarded triangular design helps to slow down breathing, slow down the heart rate, and calm the nervous system.
Given your extensive experience across different cultures, how do you see the understanding and treatment of anxiety varying globally, and how has this influenced your work at Breathe Into Peace?
The standard treatment for anxiety disorder is medication, talk therapy, and modification of lifestyle. You would see this across many Western countries, like the USA, Australia, and Scandinavia.
In Eastern culture, it is often integrated with traditional medicine and Western medicine, and a large focus is on acceptance and self-reflection. In Middle Eastern countries, there’s a huge reliance on family and social support, religion, and spiritual practices through the divine. In Africa and Latin America, community support, herbal remedies, and religious or spiritual practices are very common.
I experienced and learned various modalities and continue to use what works well for me and my clients. I was very fascinated by resetting the vagus nerve, medicinal CBD, shamanism, drumming, and breathwork and they worked like magic for me. There is no right or wrong in what therapy or modality that you do. The most important thing is finding what works best for you and consistently practising them. Mental health is not a one-off activity, it’s a continuous practice.
Our work at Breathe Into Peace is blending in the body (breathwork and nervous system therapy), mind (journaling), and spirit (belief system) and yes, it has been shaped by a variety of modalities and cultures across the world.
You advocate for holistic methods over medication for managing anxiety. For someone new to this concept, could you share a simple mindful breathing exercise or starting point?
Anxiety medications work by affecting the brain’s chemical balance to reduce symptoms of anxiety, panic, and in some cases, depression. These medications can vary in how they achieve this effect, targeting different neurotransmitters or receptors in the brain.
Overall, it’s adjusting your nervous system with chemicals, which on the other side is how breathing exercises can do as well. When we do mindful breathing exercises, it stimulates our vagus nerve and slows down our heart rate.
We recommend that you start off with pursed lip breathing is an effective and simple breather workout that can promote relaxation and help you to feel emotionally balanced.
Here’s how it works:
- To practise Pursed Lip Breathing, begin by making your mouth into an O shape and exhaling slowly for 8-10 seconds
- Then, naturally, breathe in through your nose.
- When you exhale, the pressure from the small hole in the pursed-lip creates an opening of airways in the lungs and brings in more oxygen.
- Repeat this process 5-10 times
Navigating the mental wellbeing space comes with its set of challenges. Could you share some hurdles you’ve encountered while growing your business and how you’ve overcome them?
We’ve overcome a lot of hurdles from criticism from others, price points, and rejections from shops to stock our products. My team and I worked relentlessly to ensure we had great customer support and services, and we handled criticism very delicately.
Navigating criticism delicately involves actively listening without immediate defence, maintaining composure, and seeking clarification to understand the feedback fully. Assess the criticism objectively, acknowledging valid points while expressing your perspective calmly and respectfully if necessary.
Thanking the critic for their input, regardless of agreement, demonstrates maturity and professionalism. Embrace criticism as an opportunity for growth, reflecting on how it can inform personal and professional development.
To get the right price point, we had to work on understanding our target customers, and our suppliers, and financial planning and forecasting. The price point is really important, as this can break or accelerate your business.
Rejections are very common. I took on rejection therapy and didn’t take anything personally. From every rejection, I opened a conversation and learned about my customers at a deeper level. I thanked every rejection and have turned several clinics/shops into our loyal customers.
As a successful entrepreneur in the mental health space, what advice do you have for others looking to make a positive impact on society’s well being, particularly in challenging the hustle culture?
As a successful entrepreneur in the mental health space, my advice for others aiming to make a positive impact on society’s well-being, especially with the challenges of hustle culture, is to prioritise balance, authenticity, and sustainability.
Firstly, prioritise your own well-being and mental health. Take regular breaks, practice self-care, and set boundaries to prevent burnout. Remember that your effectiveness as a change-maker is directly linked to your own mental health & well-being.
Secondly, approach your work with authenticity and empathy. Listen to the needs of your target audience and community, and develop solutions that genuinely address their challenges and concerns. Authenticity fosters trust and connection, which are crucial for making a meaningful impact.
Thirdly, challenge the norms of hustle culture by promoting a healthier approach to success. Emphasise the importance of work-life balance, self-compassion, and rest as essential components of productivity and fulfilment. Lead by example by prioritising your own well-being and encouraging your team to do the same. You can also leverage outsourcing and technology to work in your zone of genius and not do everything on your own.
Lastly, prioritise sustainability in both your business practices and the solutions you offer. Consider the long-term impact of your products and services on individuals, communities, and the environment. Sustainable practices not only contribute to societal well-being but also ensure the longevity and success of your venture in the long run.
By prioritising balance, authenticity, and sustainability, entrepreneurs in the mental health space can make a lasting and positive impact on society’s well-being while challenging the harmful aspects of hustle culture.
