They absolutely do. The method behind anxiety breathing necklaces is their ability to help you control the breath and extend your exhales. Purposeful inhalations and exhalations are an amazing, natural way to help calm our bodies. No batteries or refills are needed.
“But, it’s just breathing… I already do that every day.”
True! One of the most amazing features of our bodies is their ability to automatically and subconsciously breathe so that we remain alive. However, this natural process can also be influenced in a not-so-great way. When stressed, our inhales and exhales can transition out of the normal, healthy rhythm needed to maintain our natural internal balance.
Think about riding on a rollercoaster. You have that initial stress spike as you climb to the top of the drop zone, leading to your inhales speeding up and a rapid pitter-patter heart rate. That instant sky-high heart rate and heavy breathing is the sympathetic nervous system kicking in and helping you deal with what it perceives as a threat. Once you get off the ride and the “danger” is gone, the parasympathetic nervous system will initiate to calm your body down.
In normal circumstances, this biological response is incredibly beneficial! The problem is that with the current state of the work, many people are stuck in a state of “fight or flight.” That means that this imbalance of breath is perpetual and further exacerbates feelings of anxiety.
This is where the power of conscious breathing comes into play. The problem is that we often forget to take a moment to assess where our breathing patterns are and work to get them back into a healthier tempo. Or, we’re so stressed in the moment that breathing isn’t even on our radar.
An anxiety breathing necklace is a constant physical reminder to check in with the breath and work to steady it out, slowing your exhales and focusing on deep breathing. Wearing it daily allows you to practice purposeful breathing anytime and anywhere. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed during a specific situation, it can also help you calm down in the moment.