Breathing exercises for calm and relaxation
Your breathing is one of the few body functions you can change on purpose, which makes it a handy way to calm yourself. Slow breaths, a longer breath out and breathing into your belly are the usual starting points.
These guides give you exercises to try, with safety notes. If you have a breathing or heart condition, or you are pregnant, check with your GP or midwife before trying breath-holds.
Find a sophrologist near you if you would like to learn these with someone trained.
Articles on breathing exercises
Breathing exercises
Breathing exercises for stress
Four simple breathing exercises for stress and anxiety, starting with the NHS five-minute routine. Step-by-step, with safety notes.
· 4 min read
Breathing exercises
A sophrology breathing exercise to try at home
A short breathing exercise with gentle movement, in the style of sophrology, that you can try at home in about five minutes. Includes safety notes.
· 3 min read
From the guide
Techniques
The main sophrology techniques in plain English: breathing, body awareness, gentle movement, visualisation and the levels of Dynamic Relaxation.
Read the guideWhat is sophrology?
Sophrology uses breathing, gentle movement and visualisation to help you relax and cope with pressure. Learn where it comes from and how it works.
Read the guide