How Daily Breathwork Helps Reduce Anxiety and Build Inner Calm

How Breathwork Helps You Stay Calm in Stressful Moments

Do you ever feel that anxious rush when you walk into a crowded room or are called to speak in class or at a meeting? You’re not alone. It can feel daunting — many people experience that same fear and are searching for simple anxiety relief tools that actually work.

I know the feeling well. My heart pounds so loudly I sometimes wonder if everyone else can hear it too.

Do you catch yourself breathing in a shallow manner? When we do not breathe deeply our body cannot relax. When we get overwhelmed, that shallow intake may kick in our fight or flight mindset (Think of our prehistoric ancestors running from a pterodactyl, franticly trying to find the nearest cave to take refuge.) But we can’t be in this state all of the time. It has a purpose helping us to think and move quickly. But it is meant for extreme circumstances not to occur on the daily.Think of the pitchers in the World Series. Standing on the mound, they face the batter, a packed stadium, and know millions are watching their every move. And you know what I’ve noticed? Every single one of them takes a few slow, deep, cleansing belly breaths before the pitch.

They didn’t suddenly decide in that moment to use deep breathing exercises to activate their parasympathetic nervous system — they’ve likely been practicing mindful breathing every single day since little league. Even though many of them have stood on that mound countless times before, they still rely on these grounding breaths to steady themselves, stay composed, and perform at their best.

Breathwork isn’t a one-and-done practice. It’s a daily discipline that strengthens our ability to stay calm under pressure. When we find ourselves in stressful or uncomfortable situations, those practiced breaths become an inner anchor — supporting emotional wellness, nervous system regulation, and a deep sense of inner calm.
Daily breathwork trains the body to respond differently to stress, giving you more control over how you feel in the moments that matter most. With consistent practice, your breath becomes one of your most accessible tools for stress management and grounded confidence. And the best part – this practice is accessible to children and adults.

It’s important to start with less stressful situations. For example, if you have to give a presentation that makes you want to faint, practice in front of your mirror, using the simple deep breathing method of counting slowly in for four counts and then out for four counts. When you breath in, think of expanding your lungs and belly and when you exhale, think of your belly button meeting the back of your spine. Everyone needs to breathe. These long slow breaths will not be noticed if you keep them nice and slow.

Practice breathing! Then do the same in front of your pet, and then ask your spouse or best friend to be your audience while you practice again.
By using breathwork to calm ourselves, we gain control over the situation, we step into our power and are better able to focus.

If you’re feeling called to build a calmer, more centered daily rhythm, I’d love to guide you.

Reach out if you’d like to learn how to start your own breathwork practice and bring more peace into your everyday life.