box breathing

four square breathing

this technique involves mental counting to 4 seconds whilst breathing in a pattern of four;

inhale, hold, exhale, hold


start by slowly exhaling through your mouth

focus on bringing your belly in and underneath your rib cage completely breathing out all of the air in your lungs


now slowly inhale and deeply through your nose

counting to four in your head

feel the air travelling down your body allowing your belly to fully expand


hold your breath for a count of four


exhale through your mouth to a count of four

focus on bringing your belly in and underneath your rib cage

completely breathing out all of the air in your lungs


hold your breath for a count of four

that completes one cycle


repeat the same process of inhale, hold, exhale, hold to a count of 4 seconds each, for 2–5 mins