How To: Breathing Exercises to Help You De-Stress

While breathing is a simple and automatic physical act we take for granted every moment of our lives, consciously breathing in a particular way for five to ten minutes can greatly reduce your stress, clear your head, and bring more energy to your body. Think of it as meditation through breathing.

For a quick pick-me-up, do a stimulating breath: inhale and exhale rapidly through your nostrils as quickly as possible for 15 seconds, followed by 15 seconds of regular breathing. It also helps if you move your shoulders up and down to the rhythm of your quick nostril breathing.

Other techniques include deep belly breathing, where you inhale for 4 counts, hold your breath for 7 counts, and exhale for 8 counts, as well as breathing in and out normally for equal counts, starting at 4 and working your way up to 7 or 8 counts.

For other ways to de-stress, check out 10 Weird Ways to De-Stress.

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