And BREATHE...

'Tis the season to be stressed, right? Luckily, the secret to survival is easier than you think

- FAYE M SMITH

INCREASE ENERGY

Too much partying? Sit with your spine tall and shoulders relaxed. Breathe in through your nose so your belly rises like a balloon. The exhale should be active and have a 'swoosh' sound to it, and your belly should draw back to your spine. Start with one breath per second and continue for 10 breaths.

Christmas can often feel like a roller-coaster ride. Yes, it's joyful to spend time with family, but all that hard graft, alongside high expectations and overindulgence, can leave you feeling overwhelmed. The good news? We already have the most effective (and free) piece of equipment to boost our wellbeing - our lungs. Controlling your breathing can cause the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol to drop, which deactivates the stress cycle. Our easy and helpful exercises can be done almost anywhere, at any time - and take just minutes.

EASE PANIC OR ANXIETY

Feeling frantic? 'Box breathing reduces your heart rate, causing your body and mind to relax,' says Stuart Sandeman, the founder of Breathpod*.

Inhale through your nose for a count of four.

• Hold for a count of four.
• Exhale through your nose for a count of four.
• Hold your breath for a count of four.
• Repeat four rounds.

FIND YOUR FOCUS

Even armed with the most thorough to-do list, it's easy to feel overwhelmed at this time of the year. 'Alternate nostril breathing can restore balance,' says Stuart.

'It's a way to hit the reset button.