How breathing helps anxiety

Anxiety can significantly impact our lives, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and unable to cope. If you’re someone who experiences anxiety, you’re not alone. Mixed anxiety disorders and depression affect 8 out of every 100 people in the UK each week. However, many techniques can help to manage and alleviate symptoms, and one of the most effective is breathing.

How Breathing Helps Anxiety

So, how does breathing help with anxiety? It’s simple – when we experience anxiety, our body goes into ‘fight or flight’ mode, releasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This response can leave us tense, on edge, and struggling to relax.

Breathing techniques can help counteract this response by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety. We can lower our heart rate, reduce muscle tension, and calm our minds by slowing down our breathing and taking deep, controlled breaths.

Incorporating breathing exercises into your daily routine can significantly impact your mental well-being, and it’s an easy and accessible tool for anyone to use.

Breathing Techniques for Anxiety Relief

Many different breathing techniques can help to alleviate anxiety, and it’s essential to find the one that works best for you. Here are a few examples:

• Deep Breathing: This technique involves taking slow, deep breaths, focusing on expanding your diaphragm and exhaling fully. Inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four and exhale for a count of six.
• Equal Breathing: This technique involves inhaling and exhaling for an equal amount of time, such as inhaling for a count of four and exhaling for a count of four.
• Belly Breathing: This technique focuses on breathing from your diaphragm, rather than your chest, by placing your hand on your belly and feeling it rise and fall with each breath.

Incorporating these techniques into your daily routine can be as simple as taking a few minutes to focus on your breathing during your morning routine or incorporating them into your yoga or meditation practice.

Benefits of Breathing Techniques for Anxiety Relief

The benefits of incorporating breathing techniques for anxiety relief into your daily routine are vast. Not only can they help to alleviate immediate symptoms of anxiety, but regular practice can lead to long-term improvements in mental well-being.

Studies have shown that breathing techniques can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, and improve overall feelings of well-being. Plus, they’re free, easy to do, and can be done anywhere.

Breathing helps anxiety

While breathing techniques can be an effective tool for managing anxiety, it’s important to remember that they’re not a substitute for professional help. If you’re struggling with anxiety, seeking support from a mental health professional is essential.

If you’re interested in learning more about how breathing techniques can help manage anxiety, my coaching offers a range of classes and sessions to help you incorporate these techniques into your daily routine.

Book a session today and take the first step towards a more relaxed, stress-free life.