How To Release Tension with Stress Relief Breathing

Stress relief breathing is an excellent way to release tension, and melt away the aggravations of the day.  Stress relief breathing is recommended by doctors, as well as mental health professionals, as a helpful method of reducing anxiety, and promoting a calm sense of well-being.  You can practice your breathing anywhere you happen to be, at anytime you begin to feel stressed.  If done on a regular basis, you can even prevent the stress from occurring in the first place.

Here's how to begin:

1. Very slowly, begin inhaling deeply, paying close attention to how your lungs are filling up with air.
2. Breathe in as deeply as you can, feeling the expansion of your chest.
3. If you can, hold your breath for a count of five.
4. Again, very slowly, release the air from your chest.
5. Focus on how your lungs are slowly deflating.  You should be letting the air out almost in a hiss.

Repeat the process two or three times, and you'll start noticing a difference in the way you feel.  You may feel light headed, or even sleepy.  That's perfectly normal, so don't be alarmed.  You've done a wonderful job in releasing negative energy from your body.

Once you have your breathing technique down, you can start adding a few additional elements to your routine.  When you breathe in slowly, and feel your lungs filling with air, stretch your arms slowly above your head.  When you hold your breath in for a count of five, hold your arms up over your head, reaching up very slightly.  When you slowly release the air from your lungs, your arms will lower at the same pace until they are down by your side.  This is a great way to relax your mind, body, and spirit, and will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Some people find it beneficial to use a humming sound while they do their breathing.  If you are comfortable with this, then by all means use it.  By humming, or groaning, it gives your mind something else to focus on while you use your breathing technique.  The entire purpose of using these techniques is to clear your mind of what ails you, and release your thoughts of everything other than your own body.  Stress relief breathing is one of the few methods of relaxation that requires no additional tools, costs nothing, and can be done in a matter of minutes.