For those of you who often experience days where you feel anxious and stressed, I have a resolution to make you feel better! Breathing is a commonality between all of us, that occurs without any thought. According to BetterHealth, when you breathe in, blood cells receive oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a waste product that’s carried back through your body and exhaled. When you experience anxiety or panic attacks your breathing is altered and disrupts the way carbon dioxide is being distributed in your body which puts herself at harm. Anxiety can be very harmful for the body and result in side effects such as high blood pressure, which puts you at major risk for heart disease. Being stressed can also increase your chances of getting a cold or other illness, because it disrupts your immune system. I understand that stressful situations are bound to happen eventually at some time or another in our life; however, finding ways that help us manage these situations is essential for living a healthy lifestyle. Personally, I’ve been feeling very anxious and stressed with finals and last minute projects before my semester comes to an end. I wanted to find a way to relax so that I could focus better on my assignments and feel happier overall. These two breathing techniques will lower your heart rate and help you de-stress:

  • Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Keep your shoulders relaxed. Your abdomen should expand, and your chest should rise very little.
  • Exhale slowly through your mouth. As you blow air out, keep your jaw relaxed. You may hear a soft “whooshing” sound as you exhale.

Breathing exercises are very common and help you manage stress and anxiety; however, it isn’t the only answer to making you feel happier and healthier. Finding something that brings joy you’re your life, such as: getting your nails done, going out to lunch with friends, watching your favorite Netflix show or even going to the beach can help you manage stress. Making time for yourself to take a mental breather or break, can significantly improve your mental health and decrease the stress in your life. Self-care is extremely important, and with all of our busy schedules it’s something we should all make time for. If you’re looking for more information on stress management and other breathing exercises, follow along with this video. I hope it helps!