Anxiety is a common problem in the U.S. Current statistics say that 31% of people in the U.S. alone will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetimes. Unfortunately, with chronic stress you run the risk of burnout which has become a commonly reported problem within the last ten years. While the following article details breathing techniques that can lessen anxiety, sometimes chronic anxiety can be a lot more complicated than a simple technique can fix. If you find yourself experiencing such intense anxiety that it is impeding into your daily life, please talk to your primary care provider or a licensed mental health professional about treatment options.
Breathing techniques can be an amazing tool to have on hand if you experience chronic anxiety in your every day life. While the use of breathing techniques can often sound like such a simple and holistic solution, there is scientific proof that breathing techniques can have an effect in moments of high stress.
Studies show that copying a deliberately slow breathing pattern can trigger a relaxation response. “Deliberately copying a relaxed breathing pattern seems to calm the nervous system that controls the body’s involuntary functions”(1). Some changes that can occur as a result include lowered blood pressure and heart rate, and reduced levels of stress hormones in the blood.(1)
A very common breathing technique that is taught and is easy to remember is box breathing. There are graphics available on the internet, but the idea with box breathing is that you inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and hold for four seconds.
Chiropractic care can also be a factor in reducing anxiety. When you are in pain it can affect you mentally. Chiropractic treatment reduces pain, eases muscle tension, and facilitates the brains ability to cope with the stresses of life.
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