Breathing Techniques Reduce Test Anxiety and Increase Performance

Breathing Techniques Reduce Test Anxiety and Increase Performance

Article Highlights

  • Relaxing breathing lowers anxiety, relieves tension and reduces pain
  • Slow, relaxed breathing reverses the stress response and may help you relax before a big test, talk or meeting
  • Focused breathing keeps your mind in the present, rather than worrying about the future

Have you ever been disappointed with a test score because you knew you could have done better but were just so nervous you didn’t do your best?

How about on a job interview, or when giving an important presentation?

test

When we are anxious or nervous our breathing changes from deep diaphragmatic breaths to shallow chest breathing.  This kind of breathing restricts oxygen flow to the cells of the body and may cause drowsiness, irritability and even headaches.
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