Breathing is something we all take for granted but, when done mindfully, it can help alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a tight chest or headache. It’s easy to find breathing techniques online but for starters, Dewhurst advises “taking a deep breath in and feeling the tummy rise, followed by a long exhale feeling the tummy move back in”.
This ‘belly breathing’ means there should be little or no movement in your upper chest, unlike the shallow breathing synonymous with anxiety, which disrupts the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide we need to feel at ease.
