Breathing exercises are a proven way to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and alleviate hyper-tension. One of the major advantages of meditative breathing is that it doesn’t cost a dime and can be done just about anywhere – at home at NSB Kings Bay Homes, in your car, or seated at your desk. If you’d like to see if steady breathing can beat your stress, here is a simple way to start.

Most of our breaths are “shallow breaths,” which use only 20% of our lung capacity. The key to proper, stress-relieving breathing is deep inhaling where the ribcage and diaphragm expand before exhaling. This type of breathing brings more oxygen into our bloodstream, letting us purge waste buildup faster.

To start, find a sitting or standing position that works for you. Make sure you can maintain it without thinking about it. Above all, be sure to keep your back straight.

Always inhale through your nose when you breathe. This brings oxygen into your lungs in a smoother manner than breathing through the mouth. As you inhale, slowly count to five in your head.

When you exhale, do so through the mouth at a slightly slower rate than your inhale. Count silently to eight as you feel your lungs and ribcage ease back down.

As you continue this breathing exercise, let your stomach and abdomen rise and fall to accommodate the breath. Fifteen minutes of deep breathing a day can make a terrific difference for stress and health!