It is draining our energy, disrupting our sleep, increasing our cravings for unhealthy food, and flooding our minds with negative thoughts. We are too stressed. But there's a super simple, accessible hack that helps you to stress less: your breath!
How you breathe is an indicator of how much stress you experience. If you're sitting quietly behind your desk but find yourself breathing through your mouth, with your chest rising and falling rapidly at a rate of more than 12 breaths per minute, you are unnecessarily adding more stress to your already overwhelming life.
Breathing techniques
Now, what can you do about it? Believe it or not, the most powerful tool for combating stress is with you at all times: your breath. Proper breathing techniques can transform your body's stress response and help you relax more.
Inhale
Here's a quick tip to get started: practice deep, slow breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing your stomach to expand, then exhale slowly through your mouth or nose. This method not only slows your breathing and activates the parasympathetic system of rest.
Shift stress level
Incorporate this simple practice into your daily routine, and you'll notice a significant shift in your stress levels, energy, and overall mood. Remember, sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Breathe in, breathe out, and watch the stress melt away.
By Sanne Feiner, MSc. - Health- and breathwork coach at @Gezondheidsarchitect
