Anxiety and Breathing

Anxiety and stress are part of life and within reason fairly healthy. I work with a number of folks who struggle because while they do not suffer from full blown panic attacks, they do struggle with anxiety at times which paralyzes them temporarily and impacts their work or school performance. Often when we experiance anxiety, we can also lash out in anger and irritability. Here is a breathing exercise, which taps into our natural relaxation reflex. 

• Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Do not change it simply pay attention to it.
• Begin breathing deeply into your abdomen, ribcage and chest.
• Think of a positive word or phrase and coordinate it with your deep breathing. Repeating it once as you breath in and once as you breath out. 
• Continue to do this for several breaths and then refocus on the room opening your eyes. 

My suggestion is you practice this daily either in the morning or evening so your body becomes accustomed to it. Then when a stressful situation presents itself, you will naturally begin this relaxation breathing. 

As a final note on this, let me mention yoga. Personally, I have been a "cardio junkie" my entire life. About a year ago, I added yoga into my workout. I practice yoga at Southern Star in Oxford and have learned so much about the value of breathing, focuing on the present or mindfulness. This has definitely helped with my ability to manage stress and anxiety.