Breathing Exercises for Anxiety

One effective breathing exercises to help reduce anxiety, involves you sitting or lying down, it doesn't matter, as long as your back is straight. Start by breathing in slowly for about 7 seconds. Then hold your breath for a few seconds, but not too long. Start exhaling out for about seven seconds as well. Repeating this as many times as you feel is needed, I would say around ten times, maybe more.


Another great and effective exercise is called the CO2 exercise. You do not have to sit or lay down if you can't or feel like you don't want to. Make a cup with your hands and place them over your mouth. Continue to breathe deeply and normally. Keep doing this for about ten times or less, or as many times as you see fit. Doing this will help you balance the CO2 and oxygen in your body. This may not stop the panic attacks in its entirely but it will help reduce some of the symptoms so that it doesn't seem as severe.