All breathing exercises

The complete list of breathing exercises on SoftlyStill — 1,474 pieces, newest first, 30 to a page.

Breathing2 min

Beginner box breathing exercise for the commute — when the weather has kept you inside

The pattern is 2 · 2 · 2 · 2, which is the easiest version of the square.

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Breathing3 min

5-2-7 breathing — 5 · 2 · 7 — for a ten-minute window, when you are not in the mood

The pattern is 5 · 2 · 7, which is five, a brief hold, then seven out.

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Breathing3 min

Soft 4-7-8 breathing exercise for coming down after exercise — when you are short on time

The pattern is 4 · 4 · 8, which is the hold cut short, the long exhale kept.

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Breathing2 min

Coherent 4-4 breathing — 4 · 4 — for the early months, when you are somewhere unfamiliar

The pattern is 4 · 4, which is four and four, if five feels like a stretch.

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Breathing3 min

7-11 breathing exercise for a long illness — on a day that started badly

The pattern is 7 · 11, which is a long, slow ratio for when you have time.

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Breathing3 min

Box breathing for a break at work, after eating too much

The pattern is 4 · 4 · 4 · 4, which is four equal sides, like tracing a square.

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Breathing2 min

How to use Coherent 5-5 breathing for bedtime, when you are at home and cannot settle

The pattern is 5 · 5, which is five seconds in, five seconds out — about six breaths a minute.

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Breathing2 min

Tight box breathing for Sunday evening, if you are tired of apps

The pattern is 4 · 1 · 4 · 1, which is barely any hold, for people who dislike holding.

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Breathing3 min

How to use 6-2-6-2 breathing for a hospital waiting room, after eating too much

The pattern is 6 · 2 · 6 · 2, which is even and rhythmic, with brief holds on both sides.

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Breathing2 min

3-6 breathing for a stolen moment of caregiving, if you have done this a hundred times

The pattern is 3 · 6, which is a gentle two-to-one ratio.

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Breathing3 min

How to use Slow box breathing for jet lag, if you are tired of apps

5 · 5 · 5 · 5 breathing: a wider square, once four feels comfortable.

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Breathing2 min

4-6 breath (4 · 6) for heated moments, if you have done this a hundred times

4 · 6 breathing: in for four, out for six.

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Breathing2 min

4-2-6 breath (4 · 2 · 6) for a reset, when you have already had a long week

4 · 2 · 6 breathing: a short hold in the middle, a long way out.

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Breathing2 min

Coherent 6-6 breath (6 · 6) for a cold morning, on a low-energy afternoon

6 · 6 breathing: six and six, the slower end of coherent breathing.

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Breathing2 min

Quick 2-1-2-1 breathing — 2 · 1 · 2 · 1 — for the end of the working day, when you cannot concentrate on anything else

2 · 1 · 2 · 1 breathing: a brisk rhythm for when you need to be awake.

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Breathing2 min

Uneven box breathing — 4 · 4 · 6 · 2 — for creative work, when you have been on screens all day

A 4 · 4 · 6 · 2 rhythm — a square with one long side.

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Breathing2 min

4-8 breathing — 4 · 8 — for Monday morning, when you have woken up too early

A 4 · 8 rhythm — in for four, out for eight.

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Breathing2 min

5-2-7 breathing for heavy days, when you need something unremarkable

A 5 · 2 · 7 rhythm — five, a brief hold, then seven out.

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Breathing2 min

Coherent 4-4 breathing for a noisy room, after a difficult conversation

A 4 · 4 rhythm — four and four, if five feels like a stretch.

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Breathing2 min

Box breathing: 8 rounds for the morning, when you are somewhere noisy

A 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 rhythm — four equal sides, like tracing a square.

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Breathing2 min

Coherent 5-5 breath (5 · 5) for exam nerves, before you go back to something hard

Rounds of 5 · 5, with the counting done for you.

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Breathing2 min

6-2-6-2 breathing — 6 · 2 · 6 · 2 — for the morning, when you want to be left alone

Rounds of 6 · 2 · 6 · 2, with the counting done for you.

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Breathing3 min

Slow box breathing — 5 · 5 · 5 · 5 — for coming down after exercise, if you are new to this

Rounds of 5 · 5 · 5 · 5, with the counting done for you.

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Breathing2 min

4-6 breathing — 4 · 6 — for a long illness, when your attention is scattered

Rounds of 4 · 6, with the counting done for you.

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Breathing2 min

4-2-6 breathing for bedtime, when you feel restless rather than tired

Rounds of 4 · 2 · 6, with the counting done for you.

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Breathing2 min

Coherent 6-6 breathing for a hospital waiting room, when nothing else has worked today

Simple counts — 6 · 6 — and a circle that keeps time.

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Breathing2 min

Quick 2-1-2-1 breathing for the morning after, when you are on your own

Simple counts — 2 · 1 · 2 · 1 — and a circle that keeps time.

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Breathing2 min

Uneven box breathing: 8 rounds for heated moments, if you are fitting this around other people

Simple counts — 4 · 4 · 6 · 2 — and a circle that keeps time.

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Breathing2 min

4-8 breathing: 8 rounds for a reset, when you have more time than usual

Simple counts — 4 · 8 — and a circle that keeps time.

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Breathing2 min

5-2-7 breathing: 6 rounds for a cold morning, when you have been putting it off

Simple counts — 5 · 2 · 7 — and a circle that keeps time.

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