A STILL MIND: Focusing on your breathing can be a great stress-buster.

Just concentrating on your breathing can help you feel centred and calm.

You can try this very simple breathing exercise while you are at your desk or if you feel yourself stressed at work or home:

Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 7. Make sure you breathe deep down to the diaphragm, expanding your tummy.

Exhale slowly through your mouth to the count of eleven, allowing the muscles to relax as you do so.

Repeat 10 times

A lot of us ‘shallow breathe’ or hold our breath when we are stressed,  anxious or depressed.

This deprives the body and brain of oxygen and can  cause  poor concentration and lethargy. It also sends signals to the brain that your environment isn’t safe and causes the body to release more fight or flight stress hormones.

Concentrating on your breathing can even be a form of meditation; it involves concentrating on the present moment and frees it from worrying or fixating on future or past events.

Emily.

Taking a moment to focus on you.r breathing can be a great stress buster and calm the mind

Tags: breathing techniques, relaxation, stress, stress buster, well-being