Calming Breathing Techniques
Here are a few calming breathing techniques that can help ease your mind and boost your mood:
"Let it go" breath:
Begin by sitting in a comfortable position with your feet planted solidly on the ground. Close your eyes and bring your awareness to your breath.
As you inhale, feel your belly and lungs expand. As you exhale, feel your feet grounded on the Earth, steadying you.
On the next inhale, visualize moving any negativity that you've been experiencing all the way up from your grounded feet, through your body, into your head.
On the exhale, imagine pushing all of that negativity out through your ears as gray smoke. See and feel it leaving your body completely.
"Grateful heart" breath:
Begin by getting comfortable, either sitting or lying down, and then close your eyes.
Start to pay attention to your breath, consciously deepening your inhale and slowing your exhale.
Now, put your hands on your heart and bring to mind something, or someone, that you're grateful for. Choose an easy one: a person, place, situation, pet, etc., that really fills your heart with appreciation.
As you continue to deeply inhale and slowly exhale, let the feeling of gratitude wash over your entire body. Hold this feeling for one to five minutes, or longer if you like.