Do you feel stressed out and tired from this semester’s work? Spring is often a tough time for students with exams, essays and having to work extra since there’s no real CSN to talk about in June. Feeling like there’s not enough hours per day can be super stressful, however, taking five minutes to breathe can really help with that feeling. Have you tried it? If not, here’s a breathing exercise to try:
Lay down on your back on the floor. Place one hand on your lower abdomen and the other on your chest. Gently fill your lungs with air, starting from your belly, then feel your abdomen contracting as you exhale. Do this for a couple of breaths. Try to make the inhalation and exhalation the same length.
Now, count the length of your inhalation, then increase the length of your exhalation by a second. Continue to breathe and every couple of breaths, increase the exhale further. If you want to, and as long as it feels comfortable, you can keep increasing the exhalation until your exhalation is twice the length of your inhalation. Finish your practice with a couple of regular breaths.
This is a great exercise because even a short while of doing it will have a calming effect. And it works just fine with an exhale which is just slightly longer than the inhale, so there’s no need to push yourself.
Breathing is good for all of us, even when we’re not experiencing anxiety or stress, so try it! Take care of yourself 🙂
