Breathing for anxiety
Why is slow breathing beneficial for anxiety?
Slow breathing exercises are often recommended for people living with anxiety as it can help activate the body’s relaxation response, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.
When we take slow, deep breaths, we send a signal to the brain that it’s okay to relax, which can in turn help calm the body and mind. Slow breathing can also help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heart rate or shallow breathing.
In addition, taking slow, deep breaths can help us become more present in the moment, which can be helpful for reducing anxiety related to past or future worries. Overall, slow breathing exercises are a simple and effective tool for managing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Start small and be kind to yourself
Putting an increased focus on your breathing might be challenging at first. For some, it might enhance anxiety in the beginning.
This is because some people may find it difficult to let go of control and allow their breath to be natural, instead of trying to control their breath too much. This can create a sense of pressure, making it difficult to relax and increasing feelings of anxiety.
Additionally, focusing too much on the breath can cause some people to become overly self-aware or to become more aware of physical sensations like increased heart rate, which can be interpreted as a sign of anxiety or panic.
However, breathing exercises can still be very helpful for anxiety when practiced in a way that feels comfortable and safe.
So, when you are new to breathing exercises, keep in mind your body might need time to adjust to this new way of breathing. After a few weeks you should feel calmer and more connected with your body.
We advise you to practice consequently but to start slow, like 3 times a day for just a couple of minutes.
If you feel like you have a lot of trouble slowing down your breathing, or you feel like focusing on your breath makes you anxious or triggers hyperventilation, we advise you to see your doctor, a therapist or a breathing coach to further guide you.
Anxiety UK & Moonbird
Anxiety UK has partnered with Moonbird to bring a 20% discount to our members. (Discount applies to product RRP).
Moonbird is a small handheld device that guides people’s breathing in an intuitive way. The device uses motion to help users pace their breath and achieve a state of relaxation. The user holds the device in their hand and inhales as the device expands, and exhales as it shrinks. You can additionally listen to a guiding voice in the app to help you stay focused on your breath.
Moonbird can be helpful for people who have difficulty with breathing exercises because it provides a clear and intuitive way to focus on the breath. Unlike traditional breathing exercises, where the user is often left to count or estimate the length of their breath, Moonbird provides a concrete cue that makes it easy to pace the breath.
image credit: www.instagram.com/soulstudio_christine
