Taking deep breaths can reduce stress, anxiety: studies

Deep breathing can be an effective way to reduce stress at work, but on the job, many people don't think about how they're inhaling and exhaling, The Associated Press on Thursday cited studies, reported Xinhua.

"Desk workers sitting a computer tend to take shallow breaths as their shoulders creep up. Workers who spend the day on their feet in retail or health care may be too busy to focus on breathing," it said.

But there's good reason to remember to pause to take deep breaths. Chronic, unmanaged stress, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, can be as harmful to health as secondhand smoke, according to the American Heart Association.

"Research suggests deep-breathing exercises can lower a person's blood pressure and reduce anxiety," said the news agency, adding that "deep breathing is free, can be done anywhere and doesn't require taking a half-hour to meditate. Spending just a minute or two breathing deeply can help calm racing thoughts."