I just came from my yoga class which I love. My teacher is always telling us to do what is right for our particular body, that we know our own bodies. I like that reminder. She also reminds us as we are in a particular pose to check in if we are breathing! LOL often times I am not! I am concentrating so hard on the pose I forget to breathe. Each time she says it to remind us I smile. So interesting how we can forget the most important thing to do! BREATHE!  Breathing is essential to life, it plays a vital role in regulating our physical and emotional states.

Whenever my children were or are stressed I remind them to breathe. That is the first tool to use.

Breathing is a powerful tool for relieving stress and promoting relaxation. When we are stressed or anxious, our body’s natural response is to activate the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares us for “fight or flight.” This response can lead to increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and muscle tension, which can exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety.

However, by practicing deep breathing techniques, we can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to promote relaxation and calmness. Here are some breathing techniques that can be used to relieve stress:

  1. Diaphragmatic breathing: This involves taking slow, deep breaths through the nose, allowing the belly to expand as you inhale, and contracting the belly as you exhale through the mouth. Repeat for several minutes.
  2. Box breathing: This technique involves inhaling for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of four, exhaling for a count of four, and holding the breath for a count of four. Repeat for several minutes.
  3. Alternate nostril breathing: This technique involves blocking one nostril with your finger and inhaling through the other nostril, then switching to block the other nostril and exhaling through the other nostril. Repeat for several minutes.
  4. 4-7-8 breathing: This technique involves inhaling through the nose for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of seven, and exhaling through the mouth for a count of eight. Repeat for several minutes.

These breathing techniques can be practiced anytime, anywhere, and can be particularly helpful during times of stress or anxiety. By focusing on the breath, we can calm our minds and promote relaxation, which can help us to better manage stress and anxiety.

Breath is closely linked to mindfulness, as it serves as a point of focus and anchor for the mind during meditation and other mindfulness practices.  Paying attention to the breath can help cultivate mindfulness and reduce stress. Just sitting for a few moments and focusing on your breath, observing how your belly fills up like a balloon and then let it go is a practice of mindfulness that can increase awareness and reduce stress. By doing this for even a couple of minutes you can re-center yourself, relax and move into your sage being where you can activate more creativity and clear thinking.

“Breathe, just breathe” is a simple yet powerful reminder to pause, take a deep breath, and focus on the present moment. It is a reminder that we can use in times of stress, anxiety, or overwhelm to help us find a sense of calm and clarity.

When we feel stressed or anxious, our breath tends to become shallow and rapid. This can exacerbate feelings of stress and make it difficult to think clearly. By taking a deep breath and focusing on the present moment, we can interrupt this cycle and begin to calm the mind and body.

Deep breathing helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to promote relaxation and calmness. By taking slow, deep breaths, we can slow down our heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce muscle tension, which can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed or stressed, take a moment to “breathe, just breathe.” Pause, take a deep breath in through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this several times, focusing on your breath and the present moment. This simple technique can help you find a sense of calm and clarity, and allow you to better manage stress and anxiety in your daily life.