India, March 15 -- Stress and anxiety can hit anyone - whether it's an exam, a client presentation, tight deadlines, or everyday pressures. While breathing is involuntary, doing it with intention can be a powerful tool to calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and improve focus. We reached out to Palak Dengla, chief physiotherapist at a hospital, who shared how conscious breathing can help regulate stress when emotions feel overwhelming. "Prolonged stress elevates cortisol levels, promoting low-grade inflammation - a silent contributor to major health issues such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, thyroid imbalances, chronic neck and back pain, digestive disturbances, insomnia, and fatigue," Dengla explained. But breathing can help break this cycle. "Slow, conscious breathing shifts the body from sympathetic overdrive to parasympathetic calm, lowering stress hormones, improving circulation, and enhancing recovery," she said. Diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing Box breathing Alternate breathing 4-7-8 breathing Humming (Bhramari-inspired) breathing Dengla recommends incorporating slow breathing exercises at times when they are most effective: Regular practice of these techniques can improve heart rate variability, oxygen delivery, memory, focus, cognitive clarity, and productivity, making them a simple yet powerful tool....