Are you a stressed-out student?
Perhaps you are suffering from one of the many anxiety disorders that are becoming all too prevalent in young people.
Whatever it is that is preventing you from carrying out your studies and enjoying your time as a student, mindful breathing can help you to get your mental health back on track.
An increasingly popular way of relaxing and eliminating stress, deep breathing exercises can be carried out by anyone and require no equipment or expertise.
Read on to discover the top 6 benefits of mindful breathing for students. Plus, where you can find out more about mindfulness-based stress reduction.
To reduce anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders and is particularly prevalent in young people and students. If you suffer from anxiety, you will understand just how debilitating this condition can be and how big an impact it can have on your daily life.
Fortunately, by practising breathing techniques on a regular basis, you can learn to manage this condition and prevent any episodes before they occur.
To manage depression
Depression is another mental health issue that affects a significant amount of the population and can make going about your daily life near impossible. If you are a student with depression, then the effects of mindfulness can help to reduce your symptoms.
Mindful breathing can be carried out whenever you feel low or depressed.
To reduce distress
If you often feel distressed, mindful breathing can help calm you down and turn your thoughts into more positive elements of your life.
Just 20 minutes of this meditation practice can be enough to reduce any distress you are experiencing and help you get on with your day.
To enjoy better focus
Focus is a key part of studying, yet it can sometimes be hard to achieve with so many distractions surrounding campus life. If you struggle to concentrate, then mindful breathing can help you to focus on your breath and, in turn, focus on the task at hand.
If you would like more information on mindful breathing techniques, you can ask your NHS GP.
To improve cognitive abilities
Studies show that practising mindful breathing can help to improve brain function and your overall cognitive abilities. However, it is worth noting that, to enjoy this benefit, you need to make sure that you are practising mindful breathing on a consistent basis and that you are also taking care of other aspects of your mental and physical health, such as eating a balanced diet and not taking illegal substances.
To lower stress levels
Most students feel stressed at some time or another, which can have a detrimental effect on their studies. While some stress is good for the body, too much can cause a whole host of mental and physical problems.
However, one of the effects of mindfulness is that it helps to release endorphins into the body, which makes you feel both calm and happier.