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Updated on:

March 6, 2017

If you are looking to be mindful in your life, then you have to understand this. Learn this simple mindfulness strategy in your daily life.

Learning to follow the breath is one of the most basic mindfulness exercises, and for good reason: Mindful breathing has the power to reduce stress on a physical level, and can actually retrain the stress response in the nervous system. Practicing mindful breathing allows you to activate your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which is the branch of your nervous system that “puts the brakes” on the fight-or-flight stress response. The breathing exercises below can be used as part of a daily simple mindfulness strategy practice, or can be used on their own as a way to calm down during times of high stress.

Become a Certified Mindfulness Teacher

About the author 

Sean Fargo is a mindfulness teacher and founder of Mindfulness Exercises, a global platform offering evidence‑based resources and teacher certification. A former Buddhist monk in the Thai Theravada tradition, he bridges contemplative wisdom with modern psychology to make mindfulness practical at work and in life. Sean has taught alongside Jack Kornfield and supported leaders at organizations such as Reddit, PG&E, and DocuSign. Through online trainings, guided meditations, and mentorship, he has helped thousands of educators, clinicians, and coaches bring mindfulness to diverse communities. Sean’s mission is simple and ambitious: expand access to authentic, science‑informed practice while cultivating compassion, clarity, and resilience. Today, Mindfulness Exercises serves millions with free and premium tools, empowering individuals and teams to lead with presence and purpose.

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