The body is our vessel of life, our tool for engaging with the world around us, and our protector. For many of us, anxiety takes us out of our bodies and locks us in our thoughts about the past or the future. Thankfully, when we are jolted into an anxious state, simple breathing exercises can help turn on the rest response in the body through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and stimulation of the vagus nerve. Here are three simple breathing exercises that help reduce stress and anxiety.
