Can you imagine taking control over your next anxiety attack only through breathing in and out of your nose?
Deep breathing exercises for anxiety can become your instant calmer during a scary panic attack.
They can immediately reduce your stress and anxiety levels, and stir you away from the obsessive pattern of thinking that happens during anxiety attacks.
Breathing techniques simply give you something else to do, instead of being a passive victim of the attack.
And:
It can prevent palpitations and chest pain from stress.
Did you notice that you sometimes completely stop breathing when anxiety starts?
Without being aware of it, some people stop or restrict breathing, which obviously makes you even more anxious and “helps” the anxiety grow within you.
Breathing techniques for anxiety can prevent this from happening.
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The Ultimate Breathing Exercises for Anxiety
1. The Sigh Breath
The sigh breath is a very simple technique and easy to remember for the next time anxiety knocks on your door.
[Tweet “The Sigh Breath is a simple breathing technique to relieve #anxiety.”]It will relieve the tension in your neck and chest area also.
Breathe in through your nose – in a moderate (not very deep) way – slowly.
Pause and hold the air inside for just a second – then let it out slowly through your mouth. Make your exhale as long as possible – this is the key.
Pay attention to every second of it – especially to that moment that exhaling has finished – that silent moment before the next inhale.
As you repeat this for the second time – take a look around you and what’s going on around you – quietly.
You can repeat this 3-5 times until your feel your entire body is relaxed.
2. 4-7-8 Breath – Advanced
This is a more advanced breathing exercise – try to remember it from reading it now so it will be “ready” for you when you need it.
The 4-7-8 breath is done sitting down on a chair with your back straight and your hands lying loose on your lap.
Close your eyes to help for concentration.
Inhale through your nose slowly and deeply until you mentally count to 4.
Push out your abdomen when you inhale to fill your upper lungs first.
Hold your breath until you count to 7. Smoothly exhale through your mouth to the count of 8.
It’s easy to remember this: 4-7-8!
Imagine all your anxiety and tension leave your body while exhaling.
You can do 10 to 12 rounds of this as a beginner. It will relax your mind, relax your muscles and balance your emotions.
You can see 19 more guided breathing exercises for anxiety in this comprehensive guide.
Is Deep Breathing Enough?
While anxiety breathing can be very effective for an acute anxiety attack – it will not eliminate and “cure” your anxiety disorder. It will only relieve the symptoms.
In my opinion, one of the best ways to treat anxiety attacks from the root is cognitive behavioral therapy.
[yellowbox]Be sure to check out my article about how to use CBT techniques to stop anxiety attacks – right now.[/yellowbox]Also, If you’ve never heard of “The 20 Second Countdown” to stop a panic attack dead in its tracks – this is where it’s at. You’ll be glad you found it.
Have you ever tried breathing exercises for anxiety? How did it work for you?
To your health and happiness,
Meital
P.S
Do you suffer from high blood pressure as well? see how to use science-based breathing techniques to lower BP – instantly.
I’m not a doctor but it seems like it may be a nerve problem? have you consulted with a doctor about this?
I have severe anxiety and when I exercise it makes my anxiety worse. I always have tingling in my hands and feet! My feet feel like they are burning all the time.
My eyes became heavy reading and trying to understand these late night/ early morning attacks…lol
I was totally relieved…I always have night attacks and I feel comfortable now…..thank you…
Max,
It means nothing, It means you have to try something else. Here’s my post about how to naturally overcome anxiety attacks:
https://natural-alternative-therapies.com/overcome-anxiety-and-panic/
What does it mean when I try the breathing techniques but it makes it worse it makes me cry and shake. What does this mean what can I do to make this go away
Thank it seem to help will continue to do the breathing exercises .this is so not a way to live. Good luck to all who suffer .
Thanks a lot providing these kind of solutions now I am feeling very better.
Im going to do this everyday, i feel so silly for having anxiety nice to know im not the only one out there!! Thanks
This is exactly how I feel this past few days after my friend’s death. So this is anxiety, i will surely try to do the breathing exercise. I am a mountaineer but this is the first time i ever felt this. Thanks!
Thanks a lot and makes me feel more open, not alone!
This was really helpful, thank you so much.