Harness the power of breathing
Next time you feel stress levels escalating, simply take five controlled breaths through your nose as slowly as possible, drawing the air deep into your lungs and taking time to exhale until you can expel no more air. It is the sustained out-breath that is actually more critical than the inhalation phase.
This is often sufficient to kick start a cycle of diaphragmatic breathing that, over the course of five minutes or so, should help bring your anxiety level down. Combine it with mentally picturing yourself in a beautiful, relaxing place and the effects will be even more pronounced. I know this sounds too simple to be true, but if you practise the technique it does work.
Check that you are breathing from the diaphragm ...
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