Journal
Breath
A five-minute breath practice for busy afternoons
Ines Okafor
3 min read
No mat, no music, no special room. Just a chair, a timer and a technique that works.
The mid-afternoon slump is real. Coffee is one answer. This is another, and it leaves you calmer rather than wired.
The practice
Sit upright with both feet on the floor
Breathe in through the nose for four counts
Breathe out through the mouth for six counts
Repeat for five minutes
Why the long exhale
Lengthening the out-breath gently slows the heart rate and signals safety to the body. After a few rounds most people feel steadier and more focused.