10 stress hacks

7. Breathe

When we’re stressed, our bodies can go into ‘fight or flight’ mode. Try this breathing exercise, which can be thought of as being a short circuit for anxiety and stress by helping to activate the para-sympathetic nervous system, to get into ‘rest and digest’ mode instead. Start by putting your hand on your belly and breathing in deeply for a count of 3, allowing your belly to expand like a balloon as you do. Then breathe out for a count of 5, letting the balloon deflate. Continue for a few minutes or as long as you need to. It can be done at your desk, in the loos, anywhere!