Written by Laura Piuca Hinkes, L.C.S.W.
It is well documented that deep breathing exercises can reduce the body's response to stress and help manage anger and anxiety. Though breathing is a natural reflex, many of us fail to properly breathe. We tend to take shallow breaths and let our breathing become rapid when we are stressed, which only heightens our stress and anxiety. Deep breathing can be easily learned and should be practiced consistently to avoid returning to a less effective breathing style. As we increasingly become tech savvy, we are depending more and more on our smart gadgets to get us through the day- to get directions find recipes, do our shopping. It makes perfect sense that we can use apps to improve our well being. Apps for the iPhone and iPad such as Breathe2Relax or Long Deep Breathing are easy to use, free or very inexpensive. They demonstrate how to properly conduct deep breathing exercises and allow you to personalize the application by choosing the music and graphics. You can also adjust the duration of time you inhale and exhale during the exercises. Using these apps during stressful times of your day or at bedtime can help develop a routine where you pay more attention to your stress levels and dedicate some time to take care of yourself.
It is well documented that deep breathing exercises can reduce the body's response to stress and help manage anger and anxiety. Though breathing is a natural reflex, many of us fail to properly breathe. We tend to take shallow breaths and let our breathing become rapid when we are stressed, which only heightens our stress and anxiety. Deep breathing can be easily learned and should be practiced consistently to avoid returning to a less effective breathing style. As we increasingly become tech savvy, we are depending more and more on our smart gadgets to get us through the day- to get directions find recipes, do our shopping. It makes perfect sense that we can use apps to improve our well being. Apps for the iPhone and iPad such as Breathe2Relax or Long Deep Breathing are easy to use, free or very inexpensive. They demonstrate how to properly conduct deep breathing exercises and allow you to personalize the application by choosing the music and graphics. You can also adjust the duration of time you inhale and exhale during the exercises. Using these apps during stressful times of your day or at bedtime can help develop a routine where you pay more attention to your stress levels and dedicate some time to take care of yourself.
Of course these apps are not intended to replace professional therapy but are merely an adjunct to the work you do in your therapist's office.
