Leverage your breath to lower your stress level

Let me introduce you to a secret weapon to stress: alternate nostril breathing.

Alternate nostril breathing is an easy (and ancient) yogic breath technique for managing stress. If you do it regularly, it helps you relax your body and mind, reduce anxiety, and become more mindful of the present moment.

Here is how to practice alternate nostril breathing:

• Sit in a comfortable, tall position on a yoga mat with your legs crossed or sit at the front edge of a chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
• Rest your left hand on your left thigh or knee.
• Lift your right hand toward your nose. For this technique, you will use your right hand's thumb and ring finger. Your right hand's index and middle fingers can be tucked towards your palm or placed onto your third eye (the area between your eyebrows).
• Close your eyes, exhale completely, and then use your thumb to close your right nostril.
• Inhale through your left nostril slowly and steadily.
• Close the left nostril with your ring finger, open the right nostril, and exhale slowly through the right side.
• Inhale through the right nostril and then close this nostril with your thumb.
• Open the left nostril and exhale slowly through the left side.
• This is one cycle.
• Continue for 3-5 minutes.
• Complete the practice by finishing with an exhale on the left side.

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​Click here to watch the 3-minute demo video​

Extra tip: when closing your nostrils, you might want to place your finger at the higher, middle part of your nostril rather than the lower, fleshy part. This will allow your nostrils to open up more easily when the pressure from the finger is released.

Let me know how this breath technique is working for you. Want to learn other breath techniques?

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Click to download my free 2-page Guide to Breath Techniques To Reduce Stress​

I hope you have a good week. Remember to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally.

Best,

Christine

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