3 Quick Breathing Exercises to Pair with Aromatherapy

Feeling overwhelmed? These three simple breathing techniques can help you relax, refocus, and feel more grounded in just a few minutes.

I know how easy it can be to feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or caught in a cycle of stress. Life moves quickly, and sometimes it feels like there’s barely a moment to pause and breathe. But what if you could gently shift your energy in just a few minutes using something you already have with you — your breath?

Breathwork has become one of my favourite tools for finding calm, clarity, and inner balance. It’s simple, accessible, and incredibly grounding. And when I pair it with aromatherapy, the experience feels even more intentional and supportive.

Essential oils have a beautiful way of influencing mood and emotions through the sense of smell, which is directly connected to the brain’s emotional centre. When combined with conscious breathing, they help deepen the mind–body connection, making it easier to release tension, refocus your thoughts, and return to the present moment.

In this post, I’m sharing three quick and effective breathing exercises you can pair with our products to enhance your daily rituals, ease stress, and bring more balance into your routine. These are simple practices you can turn to whenever you need them.

Whether you’re craving a moment of calm, a boost of energy, or a gentle reset, these breathing techniques are here to support you — anytime, anywhere.

If you’re new to meditation or breathwork, my ebook How to Meditate for Beginners is a wonderful companion. It walks you step-by-step through creating a mindful practice, including simple breathing exercises, creating a supportive space, and using meditation to calm your mind and connect with yourself.

Quick Breathing Exercises for Calm and Focus

1. 4-7-8 Breath for Deep Relaxation

The 4-7-8 breathing technique, often called the “relaxing breath,” is a simple practice that can help you feel calmer almost immediately. It was popularized by Dr. Andrew Weil and is designed to support your body’s natural relaxation response. By slowing down your breathing, you help steady your heart rate, quiet racing thoughts, and ease feelings of stress. It’s especially helpful when you’re feeling overwhelmed, getting ready for bed, or simply needing a moment to reset during a busy day.

How to Do It:

Inhale deeply through your nose for 4 seconds.
Hold your breath for 7 seconds.
Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth for 8 seconds.
Repeat for 4–6 rounds, focusing on the feeling of your breath.

Best Essential Oil to Pair: Lavender or Chamomile

Lavender and Chamomile are both loved for their calming qualities. Lavender is often used to help ease feelings of anxiety and promote relaxation, while Chamomile is gentle and soothing, making it a beautiful choice for releasing tension and supporting a restful night’s sleep.

How to use it: Apply a drop of Lavender or Chamomile oil to your pulse points (wrists, behind the ears) or diffuse it in your space while practicing this breath.
For bedtime: Add a few drops to your pillow or a diffuser to create a soothing atmosphere for sleep.

Lava Stone Bracelet Tip:

Lava stones naturally absorb essential oils, so the scent stays with you throughout the day. Before bed or whenever you’re feeling stressed, add a drop of Lavender oil to your lava stone bracelet, then take a slow breath in as you practise the 4-7-8 technique. Let the calming aroma support you as you settle your mind and body.

2. Box Breathing for Focus & Clarity

Box breathing, sometimes called square breathing, is a simple technique that many athletes, service members, and meditation practitioners use to stay focused and calm under pressure. It’s especially helpful when you need to centre yourself — whether you’re preparing for an important meeting, studying, or moving from one task to the next. Just a few steady breaths can help you feel more grounded and clear-minded.

How to Do It:

Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
Exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds.
Hold your breath again for 4 seconds.
Repeat for 5 minutes or as needed for mental clarity.

This steady, rhythmic breathing helps support better balance in the body, which can improve focus and ease feelings of mental fatigue. As you slow down your breath, you may notice greater clarity and a calmer, more centred mind.

Best Essential Oil to Pair: Peppermint or Eucalyptus

Peppermint stimulates the mind, boosts alertness, and clears mental fog.
Eucalyptus helps open the airways, promoting deep, refreshing breaths.
How to use it: Place a drop on your temples or wrists before practicing, or inhale directly from the bottle for an instant mental refresh.

Lava Stone Bracelet Tip:

For steady focus throughout the day, try adding Peppermint oil to your lava stone bracelet. When you begin to feel tired or distracted, pause for a moment, take a slow breath, and let the refreshing scent help you feel more alert and re-energized.

3. Alternate Nostril Breathing for Balance & Grounding

Alternate Nostril Breathing, also known as Nadi Shodhana, is a traditional yoga breathing practice that helps bring balance to the body and mind. It can support mental clarity, emotional steadiness, and a deeper sense of inner calm. This technique is especially helpful before meditation, during stressful moments, or anytime you feel like you need a gentle reset.

How to Do It:

Sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine.
Use your right thumb to close your right nostril.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your left nostril.
Close your left nostril with your ring finger and release your thumb from the right nostril.
Exhale slowly and fully through your right nostril.
Inhale through your right nostril, then switch sides.
Repeat for 2–5 minutes, moving at a steady, relaxed pace.

This practice can help quiet a busy mind, ease stress, and bring a greater sense of balance. It’s especially helpful when you’re feeling emotionally overwhelmed or mentally scattered and just need a moment to recentre yourself.

Best Essential Oil to Pair: Frankincense or Sandalwood

Frankincense has been used for centuries in spiritual practices. It promotes deep inner peace, grounding, and clarity.
Sandalwood enhances calmness and presence, making it perfect for meditation and reflection.
How to use it: Apply a drop of Frankincense or Sandalwood to your palms, rub them together, and inhale deeply before beginning your breathing exercise. You can also diffuse it in your space to create a sacred, calming atmosphere.

Lava Stone Bracelet Tip:

Add Sandalwood oil to your lava stone bracelet to help you feel balanced and grounded throughout the day. Whenever you start to feel a little off-centre, pause, take a slow breath, and let the earthy scent gently bring you back to a place of calm and stability.

Elevate Your Breathwork with Aromatherapy

Breathing exercises are such a simple way to manage stress, improve focus, and feel more present in your day. On their own, they’re powerful — but when you pair them with essential oils and lava stone bracelets, the experience becomes even more intentional and supportive. By combining mindful breathing with aromatherapy, you can create small daily rituals that help you feel more balanced, clear, and at ease in your everyday life.

In just a few minutes a day, these practices can help you:

Reduce stress and anxiety

Improve concentration and mental clarity

Enhance relaxation and sleep quality

Feel more grounded and connected to yourself

Whether you’re creating a calming nighttime routine, taking a midday pause, or grounding yourself before meditation, our essential oils and lava stone bracelets are here to support you. Simply apply your favourite oil, take a few slow breaths, and allow the aroma to gently guide you back to balance and presence.

Final Thoughts

Breathwork has become such a simple but meaningful part of my daily routine. It’s a reminder that no matter how busy life gets, I always have the ability to pause, reset, and reconnect with myself. When I combine intentional breathing with aromatherapy and lava stone bracelets, the experience feels even more grounding and supportive. The scent helps anchor my focus, while the breath helps calm my nervous system — creating a moment of balance in the middle of everyday life.

What I love most about these practices is how accessible they are. You don’t need a lot of time or special equipment — just your breath, a few drops of essential oil, and a willingness to slow down. Whether you’re using 4-7-8 breathing to relax, box breathing to focus, or alternate nostril breathing to find balance, each technique offers a gentle way to support your mind, body, and spirit.

My hope is that these simple rituals inspire you to create small moments of calm throughout your day. Even a few mindful breaths can shift your energy in powerful ways. Start where you are, choose what feels right for you, and trust that every breath is guiding you back to centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long should I practise these breathing exercises?
Just 2–5 minutes is enough to feel a difference.

2. Can I do these techniques anywhere?
Yes, they’re simple and can be done almost anywhere.

3. Which essential oils work best for relaxation?
Lavender and Chamomile are great for calming and rest.

4. Which oils are best for focus and energy?
Peppermint and Eucalyptus help improve clarity and alertness.

5. How do lava stone bracelets work with essential oils?
They absorb oils and slowly diffuse the scent throughout the day.

6. When is the best time to practise these techniques?
Anytime you need calm, focus, or a quick reset.

Key Takeaways

A few minutes of intentional breathing can quickly reduce stress and improve focus.
Pairing breathwork with essential oils can deepen relaxation and enhance your experience.
Lavender and Chamomile support calm and restful sleep.
Peppermint and Eucalyptus help boost clarity and mental energy.
Sandalwood and Frankincense are ideal for grounding and balance.
Lava stone bracelets naturally absorb essential oils, allowing the scent to last throughout the day.
Simple daily rituals can create more balance, presence, and peace in your life.

Take a Deep Breath & Begin

Now that you’ve learned these simple breathing techniques, I encourage you to try one today. Choose the practice that resonates most with you, pair it with your favourite essential oil, and take a few intentional minutes just for yourself. Small moments like these can create meaningful shifts in how you feel throughout the day.

Start where you are, breathe with intention, and let these simple rituals support your journey toward more balance, clarity, and calm.

I’d love to hear from you — which breathing technique will you try first? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Until next time… keep becoming the grounded, glowing you. ✨

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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and tools that I personally use, love, and believe will support your journey, just as they support mine.

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DEVI JANICE

3 Quick Breathing Exercises to Pair with Aromatherapy