When stress strikes, we respond with fight or flight mentalities. We hence physically emit certain physical characteristics with the emotion associated with it. If one can breathe properly, they can reduce stress. They correlate the breathing patterns associated with less stressful emotions. This in turn can fool the mind into a more relaxed state.
The article, “Research: Why Breathing Is So Effective at Reducing Stress” by Emma Seppälä , Christina Bradley and Michael R. Goldstein look at how studies show that better breathing can help reduce stress. They state,
“Research shows that different emotions are associated with different forms of breathing, and so changing how we breathe can change how we feel. For example, when you feel joy, your breathing will be regular, deep and slow. If you feel anxious or angry, your breathing will be irregular, short, fast, and shallow. When you follow breathing patterns associated with different emotions, you’ll actually begin to feel those corresponding emotions.”
To read the entire article, please click here
Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consulting Program to learn more about how one can reduce stress and utilize breathing as an effective strategy in reducing stress.