“Your breathing is the remote control of your stress system.” Stress expert Elke Van Hoof on conscious breathing techniques.
You are in a meeting room, tension creeps into your shoulders, and without noticing, you hold your breath. Stress expert Elke Van Hoof explains why your breathing can actually be your greatest ally, and why many people unconsciously keep their bodies in a permanent state of alarm.
Simply put: chest breathing agitates, while abdominal breathing calms. Elke explains how a tiny orchestra of nerve cells in your brainstem is directly connected to your emotional center. Change your breathing rhythm, and your brain immediately receives the signal to calm down. Elke shares concrete techniques that you can apply immediately: the “physiological sigh” for instant stress release, box breathing for focus, and why some people feel anxious during breathing exercises.
