When you first think of breathing exercises, you might be thinking about something that is difficult to do. However, the beauty of breathing exercises is that they are simple and can be done anywhere. In this blog post, we will discuss how being mindful of your breath can help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calmness.

One of the most common breathing exercises is diaphragmatic or belly-breathing. This type of breathing can be achieved by inhaling deeply through your nose and then exhaling slowly through pursed lips. The deep in breath should make you feel like your stomach has expanded, while the slow out breath should bring it back to its original size.

Another exercise that may work for some people is paced breathing where one breathes at a regular pace, such as two seconds in with four seconds out (or four seconds in with eight seconds out). When doing this exercise, imagine being able to breathe away all of your thoughts and stressors from the day; if you are not really feeling anything during this exercise, try thinking calming thoughts or reciting a mantra.

If you have trouble focusing on your breathing, try using an app to help provide visual cues for how long and when to breathe in and out (such as Calm). In the end, it is important that whatever exercise you choose feels right for you!