WASHINGTON — We're still in the height of New Year's resolutions and if one of your resolutions was to take charge of your emotions, then you're in luck, we have two breathing techniques that can help calm anxiety and help reduce stress.
We brought in Patti Montella, for some help, she's an international speaker, inner transformation coach and the author of the new book "Becoming Unshakeable". She taught us how to slow down and take a breath.
Breathing is something we do every day but if done with intention, it can immediately bring a sense of calm and happiness says Montella. So first up we took a look at the "Bee Breath".
Bee Breath - Montella says to pulse your fingers on the ear flaps (the cartilage between the cheek and the ears) while making a buzzing sound, preferably at a higher pitch. Be sure to close your eyes, take a breath in, and as you exhale make the high pitched humming sound.
According to Montella this clears any negative or scrambling thoughts and brings calm. For the best effects repeat this breathing practice five to six times in a row. You can even do it up to three to four times a day.
Next up Montella shared with us a great breathing practice to reduce anxiety. The "Straw Breath".
Straw Breath - Montella says close your eyes, take a deep breath in through the nose and purse your lips and blow out through the mouth like your blowing up a balloon or through a straw.
This can normalize blood pressure and anxiety. Since anxiety is a fear of the future, the biggest thing the "Straw Breath" practice is bring you back to the present moment. Montella suggests five straw breaths in a row and to do it a couple times a day (as needed). According to Montella the "Straw Breath" can even stop a panic attack in minutes.