Practice Mindful Breathing to Reduce Stress

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly upended many of our routines and habits. Now, many Americans are seeking a lifestyle with more flexibility, less stress, and greater inner peace. The issue of stress has impacted us in many ways. Americans, in general, are currently more stressed and are at a higher risk of developing PTSD due to the pandemic lockdown measures, according to the Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition published on the platform, Total Brain. Up to 20% of workers may be at risk for PTSD.

Higher levels of stress are becoming common. It’s a good time to take a look at ways to relieve stress, from exercise to nature walks or getting a massage. One of the easiest ways to relieve stress is to practice mindful breathing.

But to feel the healing effects of mindful breathing, it’s important to do it correctly.

Embrace breathing techniques to alleviate stress

Proper breathing has been a recognized practice for thousands of years, and it has been proven to improve physical and mental distress. It can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and tension. It can improve your focus, lung health, and digestion. And, it can enhance your overall well-being. The way we inhale and exhale can be an important element to our well-being, as much as our diet and physical activity.

Proper breathing is an effective method to relieve anxiety, combat stress, and ease depression, all of which can hamper your productivity at work. Some estimates suggest that employees suffering from PTSD has increased 56% when compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. These individuals has an 18% drop in sustained attention, an 11% drop in resilience, an 8% drop in planning skills, and a 5% decline in memory.