A Simple Tool for Fighting Stress (Hint: You're Doing It Now)

We live in a busy world with many different types of stressors and pressure, but anyone can choose to utilize deep breathing techniques to help manage their stress. Research has indicated that learning how to breathe through stressful situations can increase focus, motivation and creativity.

Some breathing techniques can help you feel more relaxed and present in stressful or anxious situations. By engaging in deep breathing, we can slow down our heart rate, lower our blood pressure and relax our muscles. In addition, deep breathing can reduce the production of stress hormones.

Here are two different deep breathing techniques you can try.

Deep Breathing

• Get comfortable (in a chair or on the floor).
• Inhale slowly though your nose for a count of six seconds with your hand over your stomach.
• Pause and gently hold your breath for about four seconds.
• Exhale through your mouth, counting down from eight.
• Repeat this process as needed.

By placing your hand over your stomach, you can focus on breathing with your diaphragm. You can also change the breathing cadence if six-four-eight doesn't work for you. The important part is to find a rhythm.

I've also attached a YouTube video that has a variation you might want to try.

The key to using deep breathing as a source of stress reduction and relaxation is to practice. Start by taking three to five minutes a day and find a quiet place to practice your breathing. You will find the more you use this tool, the faster your mind and body will respond. Happy breathing!