Box breathing is a simple practice that we can use to calm ourselves down quickly when we're upset about something.
We can use it for stress,
But it really shines as a crisis intervention.
We've had a sudden fear,
We're feeling panicky,
Anxious.
Box breathing is a way to interrupt whatever is going on in the nervous system and to give ourselves a chance to calm down.
Take a couple of relaxed breaths and then I'll count as we breathe.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
And then let your breath go.
Notice for a moment the rhythm of your breath and the continuity of your breath.
As you come to the end of your exhalation,
Move smoothly into the inhale.
As soon as you've had a nice deep inhalation,
Smoothly into the exhale.
Pay close attention to the transition points in the breath for a moment.
Notice when you're taking a deeper inhalation,
Sometimes you can feel the lower rib cage opening a bit.
And then take a complete exhalation.
Really focus on allowing your breath to be smooth and effortless and relaxed.
As you breathe out,
The body naturally wants to relax.
Your shoulders could move away from your ears.
Let the back of your neck and shoulders relax.
Soften your stomach.
Let your breath be free and unrestricted.
We can always do some box breathing when we need a quick reset for our mind and nervous system.