Breathe This Way To Outsmart Your Stress

When anxiety kicks in—your heart pounding and your mind racing—you’re in the passenger seat while your emotions drive. But you can reclaim control in a single breath. Picture sitting at your desk’s corner, hand on belly, slight quiet in your ears, and breathing in a way that actually fills your diaphragm. That’s when your brain’s alarm bells soften.

During deep breathing, fresh oxygen floods your bloodstream and whispers to your limbic system, “Calm down.” In just seconds, your heart rate drops, your muscles unclench, and that hypervigilant chatter gives way to clear thinking.

Data from biofeedback research show that people who practice this daily experience 50% fewer stress symptoms and improved focus at work. It’s a reset button that’s always with you, whether you’re mid-presentation or stuck on your commute.

So the next time stress rises—maybe a tough email or a looming deadline—stop your internal sprint. Take a seat, place your hands on your belly and chest, and breathe deep. Your mind will thank you.

Sit with a straight spine, one hand on your chest and one on your belly, and let your shoulders drop. Inhale slowly through your nose until your belly swells, then exhale fully through pursed lips until your belly falls. Count to five on each inhale and exhale, and repeat for five minutes once in the morning and once later in the day. With each breath, notice your mind grow quieter and your body more relaxed. Give it a try at your desk break today.