Deep Breathing Techniques for Stress Relief

Got stressed from this over hectic schedule and feeling pressurised, there are plenty of ways to calm down without investing an hour in massage. All you need is a pair of lungs, healthy air and 10 minutes from your busy schedule. Experts believe that breathing technique in yoga and meditation can make you feel relaxed in just 10 minutes. When eliciting the relaxation response:

Muscles relax and heart beats slower.
Blood pressure and metabolism decreases.
Nitric Oxide level increases.
Breathing becomes slower
Several breathing techniques could be helpful in mastering breathing and reconnecting your body and mind-

Quieting response

In this technique first smile inwards transferring all the stress on your shoulders. As you take deep breath imagine hot air moving slowly up your leg towards lungs. Relax your muscles as the hot air moves through them and then exhale the air with reverse visualisation.

Sudarshan Kriya

This technique mostly heard at art of living classes eliminates stress, frustration and depression leaving you calm and relaxed.

Pillow breathing

Lie on your back and keep a pillow on your belly, breath slowly such that pillow rises but chest should not. Repeat it few times until you feel relaxed.

Nostril breathing

Hold the right thumb over the right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril, at the peak of inhalation close right nostril with ring finger and exhale through left nostril. Repeat this process for five times it clears the channels of nostrils and makes you feel more awake.

If possible take out early morning time for these breathing exercises, because at the morning time body is relaxed, air is fresh and mind is in its active state. Practicing these exercises at this time will energies you and keep you fresh throughout the day.