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Box Breathing: A Tool for Anxiety

Orlando Therapist Shares Box Breathing Technique: A Tool for Anxiety

By: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Are you feeling stressed or anxious before the day even starts? Are you constantly having worrisome thoughts throughout your day? Are you ready to feel more relaxed?

As an Orlando therapist specializing in trauma and anxiety, I help clients create an individualized tool kit for grounding.

This tool kit will help you feel settled and relaxed so you can continue to enjoy life. At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we help our clients identify grounding techniques. Box breathing is a technique that is easy to learn and only takes 1 minute to practice. If you would like to learn more breathing techniques we recommend using the Chopra: Mediation & Well Being App which offers meditations, well-being tools, tips, and practices based on Deepak Chopra’s wisdom and scientific research.

What is Box Breathing?

Box breathing is also known as square breathing. Inhale to the count of four, hold for a count of four, exhale to the count of four, and hold to the count of four. Repeat this pattern of breathing four times. Just like a square has four equal sides, in this practice, your breath follows the same pattern.

The Benefits of Box Breathing

This practice is helpful when feeling nervous or anxious. The practice slows down the breathing patterns, which naturally down-regulates the nervous system. The focus on counting and breathing offers a grounding effect because it creates a distraction from worrisome thoughts.

Getting Started: Box Breathing

Box breathing is a handy breathing exercise that can be used any time of the day. One session only takes just over 1 minute. This practice can be beneficial any time of the day when feeling stressed or anxious. Box breathing is a great way to transition from a busy day into 

The Best Time for Box Breathing

Because box breathing is easy to do and only takes about a minute, it is a great tool for transitions during the day. Optimum times for this practice are when preparing for the day, on the way to work, before eating a meal, when getting in the car, when walking the dog, or preparing to go to bed. Use this practice anytime you need to get out of your head and into the present moment. 

Box Breathing Tip

A common mistake is forgetting to hold the breath in between the inhales and exhales. A helpful tip is to visualize a square box. Imagine inhaling as you move up the square, hold your breath as your eyes move across the top of the square, exhale as your eyes move down the box, and hold your breath as your eyes move across the bottom of the box.

Ready to Start Anxiety Therapy in Orlando, FL?

The therapists at Mindful Living Counseling Orlando are here to help you with your anxiety. The highly trained Orlando therapists will give you the tools needed to help you live your life calmer every day. To get started with one of our anxiety therapists in Orlando:

  1. Fill out our New Client Consultation form located on our Contact Page.

  2. Once you complete the form, you’ll be invited to schedule a 15-minute phone consultation with our Client Care Coordinator.

  3. Get ready to start healing from anxiety!

Not Quite Ready for Anxiety Therapy?

We have a highly trained team that is ready to help you on your healing journey. Orlando therapists will help you gain tools that will help you overcome any anxiety you may be struggling with. If you’re not ready, we understand. In the meantime, feel free to read the articles below.

Therapy Orlando Anxiety Resources

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique

51 Grounding Techniques to Help You Feel Grounded Now

Guided Meditation for Anxiety: Four Elements

An Anxiety Therapist Shares Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety

Other Therapy Services Offered at Mindful Living Counseling in Orlando, FL

Our therapists at Mindful Living understand that anxiety may not be the only feeling you’re struggling with. This is why we offer a variety of therapy services. Our therapy services include Trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, Eating Disorder Therapy, Toxic Relationship Therapy, and Teen Therapy. We also offer Guided Meditations. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

About the Author

Orlando Therapist, Lauran Hahn, LMHC, specializes in working with clients that are struggling with anxiety and trauma. She also helps clients heal from and stop getting into toxic relationships. Lauran is a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. She helps people feel calm in their bodies, at peace in their minds,s and connected in relationships.