Just Breathe: Your Guide to Managing Stress

Keep Calm and Breathe Deeply

People often take shallow breaths when they are stressed out, which can make things worse. What can you do if you need to relax but don't have the time for an entire meditation session? Simple breathing exercises could be the answer! We'll give you some simple techniques that will help you ease your anxiety and keep you calm during the stressful holiday season.

Deep Breathing: The Simple Anxiety Relief Technique

Deep breathing is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to reduce stress and anxiety, and it's also an effective way to prevent panic attacks and other similar episodes. Plus, deep breathing means you never have to meditate or try complicated relaxation techniques. You can do it anywhere – even while standing in line at the grocery store!

There is a time for meditation and other techniques, but it can be challenging to find time in our busy schedules to sit down and do the practice. Because of this, we recommend deep breathing for anyone during the holiday season who needs to relax.

But before we go any further, we should explore whether this deep breathing method works.

Do Deep Breaths Calm You Down?

You probably have never thought about it before, but are deep breathing exercises for anxiety practical?

The answer is yes. These exercises give you almost immediate results to help relax your body. It doesn't matter if work or school is causing you stress – or even personal reasons. When you feel overwhelmed, take a few minutes to do nothing more than breathe properly and notice the change in how your body feels. 

How does this happen? Simple: when you do deep breathing exercises for anxiety, your mind begins to let go of all the negative thoughts keeping you from enjoying life. You need only focus on your breath as it goes in and out. 

Deep breathing has been scientifically proven to elicit your body's natural relaxation response and control errant stress occurring in your life.

Simple Breathing Exercises for Anxiety

It is easier to do deep breathing exercises for anxiety when relaxing at home or in a quiet place. If you are in public somewhere, try to find at least five minutes away from the bustle of people so you can focus on your breath and let go of your stress. If you are already familiar with the practice, you may be able to do it during stressful situations while maintaining a level of focus on what you are doing.

1. Close your eyes and spend a few moments thinking back on the day's events—but only briefly. Begin by taking a few deep breaths.
2. Let everything that happened fade into the background as you attempt to breathe easy for this exercise. Focus on the flow of your breath while letting the day's events dissolve.
3. Feel your stomach rise with each inhale, then fall when you exhale entirely through your nose.
4. Don't worry if something steals your attention; simply bring your focus back to your breath when you are able.
5. Continue this pattern of breathing for about ten minutes or more, if possible, to find the best solution to your stress level.
6. Repeat this process throughout the day when you are feeling anxious, noting what works best for you. 

We hope this exercise proves helpful for you. We know exactly how stressful this time of year can be for everyone. If you're feeling overwhelmed, know that you are not alone, and there are plenty of people out there experiencing the same thing. When you feel like you need a break, just remember to keep calm and breathe deeply.

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