Box Breathing
Have you heard of Box Breathing?
A simple yet effective breathing technique to help lower stress, anxiety and overwhelm, by moving you out of the cortisol fuelled "fight or flight" mode and into the calming "rest and digest" state of your nervous system.
You can use box breathing to centre yourself and prepare for a stressful event, or to calm down afterwards. It can be used before a meditation, or even as a way to drift off to sleep.
I love using this in sessions to help get clients to drop into their bodies and out of their heads.
Inhale for 4 counts
Hold breath in for 4 counts
Exhale for 4 counts
Hold breath out for 4 counts
If 4 counts is too long to start with, try 3 counts until your breath starts to regulate. Then after a few minutes you may find you can count to 6 or 8.
It's so empowering to know that you can control your breathing…
…which means you can control your nervous system…
…which means you can control your stress levels.
Happy breathing G x