I once discovered a straightforward 5-minute breathing technique that really helped me to be more aware.
Are you feeling overwhelmed recently? The same here. I’ve been seeking the way to control stresses effectively without games, food, or overthinking. This is the time I found a breathing exercise that takes only 5 minutes and promised to increase my ability to think clearly and heal my pain in the chest – it was successful.
The practicality of it really stood out to me. No mandatory work-out equipment, no high-pressed ambiance, no feeling of suffocation. Only air, your body, and a silent corner. A total time-out that lets you recharge and come up with fresh ideas.
The Importance of Breathing Correctly
When we are under stress, we are in a state of our nervous system turning into “fight or flight” mode. Our whole body becomes affected: the heart starts to race, breath becomes shallow, and the mind is neither here nor there. In contrast, deep, and slow breathing serves as a safety signal to the body. It makes the heart rate slow down, the blood pressure lower, so the body eventually switches to a more restful and digesting state. And that’s where this method works best.
What to Get
Just set aside five minutes of your time. A spot where it is peaceful enough to be alone with your thoughts (a parked car could be a good option), a nice easy chair to sit down on, and silence. I have used my yoga mat and some noise-canceling headsets to tune out everything around me.
Here is What I Did
The sequence is simple to remember. Firstly, take some deep breaths – inhale slowly through the nose for a count of four, wait a little bit, then exhale through the mouth for a count of six. Continue this pattern for the entire five minutes.
Go on breathing in and out regularly and lead your attention to your body. Is there tension in your shoulders or is your jaw closed and tight? Try to find the inner freedom within yourself as you breathe in. The online routine that I followed was interactive- it was asking questions like, “Why are you here today?, “How’s your mood?”, besides, it directed you to clear pain from your body and your soul while going through each part.
The Outcome Was Immediate
Evidently, the change was noticeable to me by the end of the second minute. I was breathing at a slower pace and my thoughts that were racing? Not so disorganised. The tense feeling in my neck had begun to disappear. I felt more connected, calmer, and in charge. At the end of the five minutes, it was like a new start had come, and my mind was reset.
I have to admit one thing—out of many methods to try in such a short period, this breathing exercise is the one I really, really liked. This technique is at my disposal now, and I could employ it prior to tense meetings or when I feel like I need to change my mood very quickly. And no, you don’t need to be a fan of yoga or meditation to embrace the advantages of the above-described breathing technique. Just five minutes. That’s all you need.
In case a super-fast and super-soothing routine has been on your mind, the one mentioned here could be just right for you.
