Four Square Breathing Exercise
The Four Square Breathing Exercise is a deep breathing technique that can help you slow down your breathing, clear your mind, and decrease stress in your body. It is a simple but powerful relaxation technique that can be practiced anywhere and is useful in stressful situations when you want to re-centre yourself or improve concentration.
To perform the box breathing exercise, follow these four steps:
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Breathe in, counting to four slowly, and feel the air enter your lungs.
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Hold your breath for 4 seconds, trying to avoid inhaling or exhaling during this time.
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Slowly exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds.
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Repeat steps 1 to 3 until you feel relaxed and your breathing pattern has returned to a normal rhythm.
Box breathing can have several benefits, including:
Lowers stress: the biggest benefit of box breathing is relaxation, especially in times of stress. Studies show that regulating your breath can help reduce stress levels.
Activates the parasympathetic nervous system: box breathing can help you move out of a state of stress by tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and digestion.
Improves focus and concentration: box breathing can clear and calm your mind, improving your ability to focus and concentrate.
Helps with controlling and managing emotions: this technique can assist in controlling and managing emotions, making it a useful tool for people with anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression.
Efficient at helping with pain management: box breathing can be effective in helping with pain management, making it a useful technique for individuals experiencing chronic pain or discomfort.
