An Easy 30 Second Breath Exercise You Can Do Anywhere

In this video I explain how to do a very simple, but very powerful breath exercise in which you take time to step back throughout the day to notice the breath

How To Step Back To Breathe

The core exercise is incredibly simple, which is one of the reasons it’s a personal favorite.

All you have to do is to take a long, deep inhale, and then exhale with a loud sigh. You can repeat this big inhale and loud exhale two or three times, especially if you’re currently feeling stressed or upset for any reason.

Then, after your last sigh, simply allow the breath to return to its normal pace. Pay attention to the motion of the air in and out of your body for two or three cycles of breath. Make sure you breathe easily, but don’t force your breath to take any specific form. Simply notice if it naturally lengthens, and causes you to feel more space or stillness.

That’s it!

The challenging part of this exercise isn’t actually the exercise itself, but rather remembering to do it. Try to use this exercise at least once or twice an hour, every day, in order to dramatically reduce your stress and increase your sense of calm.

I explain why this works in the video above, and go into a bit more depth about the importance of this exercise in this post on finding peace within.

Why It Works

This exercise is so powerful precisely because it is so simple and easy to do.

It works well for several reasons.

Firstly, taking a big inhale and loud exhale, followed by a natural breath, will cause your next breath to feel calmer and more spacious. After the slight exertion, your body will look for a softer breath pattern, without you having to do anything.

Combining these two breath techniques in this way also causes you to increase the flow of oxygen throughout your body and, most importantly, in your brain.

Most importantly, however, is that this exercises all but forces you to take a step back and re-evaluate whatever it is you’re doing. You can become more detached, and begin to view your current moment with a higher degree of detachment.

Finding this space is important all the time, but especially when you are trying to reduce stress, or relieve other negative energy.

For more exercises like this and tips on how to quiet your mind, increase happiness, or find more peace, check out our current list of available courses.