These tried-and-true breathing exercises can help you take on the day.
You’ve likely experienced the physical effects of stress at some point in your life: rapid heartbeat, accelerated breathing, and even headaches. After all, the body and mind are connected. So when you feel anxious, overwhelmed and on edge, your brain triggers a set of biological responses that include these jittery sensations.
But when you’re not stressed — say, maybe taking a nice, afternoon nap or leisurely floating on an inner tube in crystal-clear Caribbean waters — the opposite process occurs. Your breath becomes slower and more measured. You’re relaxed.
Since jumping on a flight to a tropical paradise departing tomorrow isn’t an option for most of us, how can you keep stress from taking over? Deep breathing could be helpful, as inhaling and exhaling sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax.
Here are three tried-and-true breathing strategies that can help you manage stress, take on your day and perhaps avoid a headache at the same time.
1. Belly Breathing:
This method starts with finding a comfortable spot to sit. Next, place one hand on your stomach — right beneath your ribs — and the other on your chest. Breathe in through your nose, pushing your belly out and keeping your chest still. Then pucker your lips and slowly exhale as your belly pulls inward. Repeat the cycle three to 10 times.
