Looking for a way to relax from everyday stresses but don’t have a lot of time? Here’s everything you need to know about one-minute breathing exercises.
Key takeaways
- Breathing exercises come in many forms. Different types can help increase your energy, clear your mind, and release stress.
- You don’t need tons of time to reap the benefits of breathing exercises – even one minute is enough.
- Start now with Learn Lion’s Breath with Ally M. to begin your quick breathwork toolkit.
Everyday stress is something we all experience, an unfortunate inevitability of life. While it would be nice to delete traffic, erasing external stressors isn’t exactly the most feasible. The best way to gracefully navigate stress and anxiety? Simply breathe through it.
Breathing is an involuntary action our bodies do for us—but there are many benefits to be gained from consciously controlling your breathing, a process otherwise known as breathwork. We will go over what breathing exercises are, how they can relax you, and how you can benefit from just one-minute of breathing intentionally.
What Are Breathing Exercises?
Some of the benefits you get from controlled breathing exercises could be an increase in energy, improved mental clarity, and a release in stress and anxiety.
Types of Breathing Exercises
There are many different types of breathing exercises. The majority of them are done in a seated position but differ in the rate of breathing as well as nasal breathing, diaphragm breathing out through the mouth, or combinations of both.
It has been demonstrated that breathing with different breath patterns may also activate different areas of the brain.
A Professional Instructor Can Help
Having a professional teacher guide you through different breathing exercises is the best way to find the breathwork that works for you. They will be able to help you ground yourself into your senses to bring you to the present moment.
Breathing Exercises Can Relax Your Body and Mind
Many people know that breathing exercises are used to calm you down but did you know there is actual research proving that there are also physiological benefits as well? Studies show that slow, controlled breathing significantly decreases blood pressure and the rhythm of the heart rate.
But of course, breathing exercises also have many psychological and behavioral benefits as well. Focusing on your breath will allow you to become more self-aware which reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion. It can actually also increase your feeling of comfort, relaxation, pleasantness, and alertness.
Is 1 Minute Enough To Make a Difference?
Life is busy, and we’re already alive and breathing—why change what’s not broken? It may surprise you to know that one minute is all it takes to reset your mindset and mood.
1.Meditation For When You’re Busy
Do you feel like you just don’t have the time to practice meditation? Then you are among those that would most likely benefit the most from breathing exercises.
2. Everyone Needs a Break
Even the busiest people in the world could set aside just a minute to take a break, step away from the task at hand, take intentional calming breaths, and recharge for the rest of the day. Although 10 to 15 minutes a day of breathwork is ideal, even just 60 seconds will deliver immediate positive benefits.
3. Practice Anywhere
All you need is you. Breathwork can be done anywhere, whether you’re at the office or stuck in traffic you can engage in intentional breathing and reduce your stress.
One Minute Breathing Exercise: Learn Lion’s Breath w/ Ally M.
If you are looking for a breathing exercise that will help relieve stress as well as help boost your self-confidence, try Learn Lion’s Breath w/ Ally M. on Open today.
1. What Is Lion’s Breath?
Lion’s breath is a controlled breathing exercise that’s typically done during yogic practice but it can certainly be done wherever you are when you need that tension release.
2. Learning Lion’s Breath With Ally M.
Ally M. will walk you through the technique of lion’s breath in a simple one minute video. Lion’s breath is usually done in a seated position. Once you are comfortable take a big breath in and hold for just a moment at the top.
3. Intentional Breathing for Reduced Stress
For the exhale, open your mouth wide with your tongue extended toward your chin, roll your eyes to the back of your head, and release the breath with a confident “ha” sound, clearing any tension you are holding on to.
Five 1-Minute Meditation Practices To Get You Started
If you’re interested in quick and simple meditation sessions, give these five practices a try.
- Instant Calm w/ Manoj D. — Calm your body and mind with intentional breathing (1 Minute).
- Fast Focus w/ Manoj D. — Get in the zone quickly by focusing on slowing your breath (1 Minute).
- Espresso Shot w/ Manoj D. — Better than coffee – shake off sleep anytime with this 60-second energy booster (1 Minute).
- Calming Breath Break w/ Manoj D. — Support your nervous system with help from this sitali breath practice (1 Minute).
- Vocal Toning to Calm w/ Manoj D. — Steady into your center with your breath and voice (1 Minute).
- Vocal Toning to Calm w/ Manoj D. — Steady into your center with your breath and voice (1 minute).
Breathing exercises are incredible tools to help you tackle stress and the hurdles of life. One minute is all is takes to enter a more mindful state.
+ Sources
The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human | ERS
Take a Breath: The Effects of Respiration on Brain Activity | Grey Matters