How often should I practice breathing exercises?

Daily frequency is more important than exercise duration as far as the benefits of breathing exercises are concerned. Short 2- to 5-minute sessions, practiced daily, build up resilience to stress much better than occasional long sessions. The nervous system responds best to predictable patterns of activity, and the establishment of this habit will bring about long-term physiological adaptation.

Your body requires a regular flow of signals to rewire its responses to stress. Daily practice creates an activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, so your body learns to return quickly to calm after a stressor. Skipping a day causes a great deal of difficulty in the neurological retraining needed.

Incorporate practice into established routines to elevate your sustainability. Do breathing in the morning with your first cup of coffee. Do your evening sessions during your skincare routine. Office workers will use the breaks in their computer time to stand up and reset with a one-minute Dr. Bre exercise. These micro-habits add to each other as they accumulate over time.

Noticeable improvements appear within 3-4 weeks of daily practice. Heart rate variability increases, showing better stress adaptation. Morning cortisol levels normalize naturally. Consistent practitioners report 40% better focus during work hours.

Change the frequency during times of illness or increased stress levels. Rather than stop, sessions may be decreased, but daily practice should not stop altogether. Even 90 seconds will still allow the maintenance of neurological patterns. Fully return to routine when energy levels return. Consistency builds the foundation of all benefits.

Read the full article: 10 Breathing Exercises for Daily Wellness