Simple and Free Stress Relief

Years ago, when I was learning yoga, my instructor started the very first class by teaching us to breathe. Up to that point, I thought I already knew how to breathe. By the end of the breathing exercises he attempted to teach me that night, I realized I hadn’t been breathing properly for years.

Stress causes many people to develop a shallow breathing pattern. This isn’t surprising when you think about how we gasp or pant after being frightened, injured or experiencing an emotional shock. If our bodies automatically shorten the breathing pattern during acute stress events then it only makes sense that chronic stress would have a similar, if lesser, effect.

Ayurvedic wisdom tells us that breathing deeply can help combat stress. Common sense tells us that if stress shortens our breathing pattern, then lengthening the breathing pattern (breathing deeply) should relieve stress.

Does it work? I think it does. During especially stressful times, I find myself falling back into the rhythm of those breathing exercises my yoga instructor taught me all those many years ago. Try it and see for yourself.

First, get comfortable. I like savasana or corpse pose, if you’re familiar with yoga, but any comfortable position on your back will do. Place both hands on your belly. Breathe in and out through your nose. For a while just observe your breath, don’t try to change it.

After a few breaths getting to know your pattern, breathe in through your nose and draw the breath down into your belly. You should feel your belly expanding under your hands. When you’re full, hold your breath for a moment, then exhale through your nose. As you continue, begin counting slowly as you inhale and exhale. Match the length of the inhale to the length of the exhale.

At first, this exercise may be difficult. It may be unsettling or uncomfortable. Give yourself time to adjust. Relax, and keep breathing. As you continue this practice and get familiar with how it makes you feel you’ll be able to take it with you to the office, on the roadways, or anywhere you experience stress.

Namaste!