4 Easy Breathing Exercises For Anxiety Relief

Balancing Breath

If you’re feeling a little frazzled and spread too thin and need to balance and integrate, the Alternate Nostril Breath can be just the thing to help you pull it together again. Start by sitting upright and close your eyes. Gently close your right nostril with your thumb. Inhale through your left nostril then close it with your ring-little fingers. Open and exhale slowly through the right nostril. Keep the right nostril open, inhale, then close it, and open and exhale slowly through the left. This is one cycle. Repeat 3 to 5 times, then go back to normal breathing and tune into how you feel.

Energizing Breath

I recommend doing Breath of Fire for when you are feeling overwhelmed, and don’t think you can accomplish the task at hand. It is very effective in helping you find inner power and confidence. Start with a few long deep breaths, then as soon as the lungs are completely expanded force the air out, and as soon as most of the air is out, immediately expand the air back in. With each breath one expands a bit faster and contracts a bit faster until without expanding or contracting completely, following a rhythm for up to a minute. Notice how your energy and confidence levels have shifted.

Relaxing Breath

A great way to end the day or to use whenever you feel like you need to wind down, the Relaxing Breath should be done lying down and with time to fully sink into the breath. Begin by lying quietly and comfortably, breathe easy. Focus on your toes and send the breath there along with a little thank you for all they do for you. Continue sending breath and gratitude to each body part, working up the legs and torso and ending with the arms and head. Allow your body to sink into the surface beneath it and release any tension you find as you move towards the head. Lie quietly and gently breathe for a few minutes when finished to seal in the relaxation benefits.

Even though anxiety is difficult to track, and seems impossible to overcome, I know you will find more calm and security when you focus on your breath. It is the most immediate way to shift a mood and be able to face the present moment – breathe easy and know that you are well.

Author

This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com in Oct 2013 by Vicki Wiepking. Vicki is a 2008 graduate of The McKay Method School of Energy Healing in Bozeman, MT, and a certified Flower Essence Practitioner. She is the owner of Rasa Deva Wellness in Bozeman, where she offers a unique combination of energy healing, flower essences and essential oils to her clients. Vicki currently teaches energy healing classes at both the McKay Method and HealthWorks Institute.

Pages: 1 2