Breathing exercises offer many of the same benefits as meditation. They are an effective short-term stress reliever.
Breathing relaxation techniques allow you to detach yourself from stressful thoughts. You can then gain control of your emotions, enabling them to dissipate.
When you find yourself in a stressful situation, turn your attention toward your breathing patterns. Breathe in for a count of four, and then slowly out for a count of six.
There are plenty of breathwork apps available for download to guide you through your breathing exercises. Alternatively, invest in a smart watch or stress tracker that offers personalized guided breathing sessions.
Regulating your breathing this way also regulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This promotes calmness and full-body relaxation.
One of the quickest ways to relieve stress is to engage your senses of touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing in positive ways. Experts recommend trying to identify five things that you can hear, touch, taste, see, and smell. Then describe them in detail to yourself.
This exercise diverts your attention away from stressors and focuses your mind on more pleasant stimuli. Such as the taste of a cup of coffee or the sound of birds chirping outside of your office window.