easy guided breathing exercises for relaxing weekend- body and mind wellness

Life gets busy, and making time to relax is good for your whole well-being. One of the easiest ways to feel calmer is guided breathing. Here are four simple breathing exercises you can add to your weekend.

Easy guided breathing exercises for a relaxing weekend

1. Deep belly breathing (diaphragmatic breathing)

• Sit comfortably or lie down.

• Put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.

• Breathe in slowly through your nose and let your belly expand.

• Breathe out slowly through your mouth and feel your belly fall.

• Repeat for 5 to 10 minutes, focusing on the rise and fall of your breath.

Why it helps: Deep belly breathing works your diaphragm, which lowers stress and helps you feel calm.

2. 4-7-8 breathing

• Sit or lie down and relax.

• Breathe in quietly through your nose for a count of 4.

• Hold your breath for a count of 7.

• Breathe out completely through your mouth for a count of 8.

• Repeat for a few rounds.

Why it helps: It calms your nervous system, helps you relax, and eases anxiety.

3. Alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana)

• Sit comfortably with your back straight.

• Close your right nostril with your right thumb and breathe in through your left nostril.

• Close your left nostril with your right ring finger, open your right nostril, and breathe out.

• Breathe in through your right nostril, close it, open your left nostril, and breathe out.

• Repeat for 5 to 10 minutes.

Why it helps: Nadi Shodhana balances the flow of energy in your body and calms your mind.

4. Box breathing (square breathing)

• Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4.

• Hold for a count of 4.

• Breathe out through your mouth for a count of 4.

• Hold again for a count of 4.

• Repeat for 5 to 10 minutes.

Why it helps: Box breathing helps you focus, lowers stress, and clears your head.

Try these this weekend and give yourself a break from the busy week. You'll get the most out of them if you keep at it, so make them a regular habit. Here's to a calm, relaxing weekend!