Try Some Deep Breathing Exercises
When stressed, the sympathetic nervous is activated. This is often known as the “fight-or-flight” response. A fast heart rate, quick breathing, and the feeling of adrenaline are classic signs of the fight-or-flight response. On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system, often known as the rest-and-digest system, is characterized by slower heart rates, more relaxed breathing, and calmer feelings. Deep breathing is a strategy to activate the parasympathetic nervous during times of stress. A simple deep breathing exercise to start with is to simply breathe in slowly through your nose, filling your lungs deeply, and then slowly breathe out through your nose. The belly should move more than the chest. Another simple exercise to try is inhaling to a count of 5 and then exhaling to a count of 5. You can increase or decrease the count to whatever is most comfortable, but remember that the goal is to breathe as slowly as possible. There are also many other deep breathing exercises to choose from.
