Two Breathing Exercises for Stress

I know “breathwork” can sound like one more wellness thing you’re supposed to be doing. It’s really just breathing on purpose, slower and with some attention. When you’re stressed, it can take the edge off enough that you can think straight.

Belly breathing

I’d start with this one, because nobody has to know you’re doing it. Sit somewhere comfortable. Put one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Breathe in through your nose and let your belly push your hand out. Breathe out slowly through your mouth.

Keep going for a few minutes. When your mind wanders, bring it back to the feeling of the air going in and out.

Alternate nostril breathing

Close your right nostril with your thumb and breathe in through the left. Close the left with your ring finger and breathe out through the right. Breathe back in on the right, switch, and out on the left. In yoga it’s said to balance the energy in your body. Mostly, I find it calming.

When to use them

You can do these every day, or save them for when things go sideways, like before a hard conversation or when you’re lying awake at two in the morning. Slow breathing is one of the ways your body calms itself down.

Start with a few minutes a day. That’s enough.