There are different variations of breathing exercises which can energize you or calm you down. Breathing exercises, where you inhales are shorter or equal in length to the exhales, calm you down. They calm down your nervous system and reduce stress levels in your body.

The best time to practice them is when you wake up so you can get oxygen flowing into your body. You can also do it when you are stressed out to help you calm down. But any other time works as well.

Here are some breathing exercises that you can try:

1. 2-2-4 breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, etc.

Inhale for 2 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, then breathe out for 4 seconds. You don't have to be exact, you can count to 2 when breathing in, count to 2 when holding, and then count to 4 when breathing out. In 4-7-8 breathing, you breathe in for 4, hold for 7, and breathe out for 8 counts. It's a bit more challenging so if you feel discomfort, don't force yourself and try an easier variation.

2. Boxed breathing

Similar to the previous technique, breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, breathe out for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, and repeat.

3. Alternating breathing

Cover one of your nostrils with one finger then slowly breathe in through the other nostril, then cover this nostril and exhale slowly through the previously covered nostril and inhale through the same nostril and repeat.

NOTE: always breathe in through your nose even when you're not doing these exercises.