The calming breathing techniques for anxiety, panic or stress takes a few minutes and can be done anywhere.
Get in the habit starting your day with these exercises whilst in bed as part of your daily routine, at your desk whilst feeling panicked, or whilst stuck in a stationary traffic jam.
Breathing when under stress can help you get in a frame of mind to think about relaxation.
Remember your breath is your friend
Using positive thoughts will activate the para-sympathathetic nervous system and help you to switch off your fight/flight reaction. It is the perfect solution to rapidly calm nerves, focus the mind and help you think with more clarity.
So use this simple and powerful exercise at any time when you feel worried, tense, nervous or anxious.
Clear the nose before this exercise.
Take your right hand (which is the giving hand in yoga terms)
- Let go of all the air in your lungs
- Gently press your thumb against right nostril – closing it completely, and then inhale slowly through the left nostril
- Hold your breath for a few seconds. With the right forefinger close your left nostril as you release from the right nostril. Exhale through the right nostril, while keeping the left one closed. Hold for a few seconds.
- Inhale through the right nostril, hold, release your forefinger as you close the right nostril with your thumb. Exhale through the left nostril, while you keep the right nostril closed. Hold for a few seconds.
- Inhale through the left nostril – repeat about 8 cycles.
Remember your breath IS your friend!