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As its Mental Health Awareness Week this week we are still talking about stress and mental health. Today we are talking about how to help your stress levels by bringing a sense of peace and calm into your life through breathing exercises.
The charity MIND have said that mixed anxiety and depression affects 8 in 100 people per week just in the UK alone and that generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) affects 6 in 100 people in the UK in any given week. These are a huge number really and one that we can help ourselves with by using breathing techniques. Below is a video for you to feel less stressed and really feel calm. Don't worry, its not all Om like some yoga can be.
Did you know that I suffered with stress in 2006 with the job I was in, I was head nurse of a Veterinary Practice and I felt so stressed and not supported by higher people. I said to my husband that we needed a break so we decided to take a backpacking trip around the world to find a sense of inner peace and calmness. Do you know what, that was the best decision we ever made and I even found my passion now, (yoga) while in Thailand. So know that it is possible to find a sense of peace and calmness right now. Know that whatever decision you are trying to make, it will be the right one. Just trust in your heart and it will be right. Use your intuition, use your inner guidance.
Breathing Exercise For Stress Relief And Anxiety
For many of us, relaxation means flopping on the couch and zoning out in front of the TV at the end of a stressful day. But this does little to reduce the damaging effects of stress. Rather, you need to activate your body’s natural relaxation response, a state of deep rest that puts the brakes on stress, slows your breathing and heart rate, lowers your blood pressure, and brings your body and mind back into balance.
You can do this by practicing a breathing technique called Square Breathing. Find a comfortable seated position.
We are going to do 3 rounds of this breath. Start with an inhale and slowly count to 4 while inhaling. Hold your breath for 4 counts, then exhale for 4 counts, hold your breath for 4 counts and repeat three times. Give it a go.
Its amazing at relieving stress and calming your mind. We also should get out into nature, so try and do these breathing exercises outside to really feel the benefits. I would love to know how you get on with this breathing exercise so please leave a comment below and I will comment back. You've got this, trust me.
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Have a good day.
Lots of love xxx