Anxiety has given me over 100 different symptoms to deal with in my life. But one of the sneakiest has been shortness of breath. I bet if you struggle with anxiety too, you know exactly what I mean. There’s nothing worse than the feeling of not being able to take a full, satisfying breath.
I used to think I just had to live with the lightheadedness and breathlessness – until I discovered breathing techniques to help me.
One of those techniques include anxiety breathing necklaces. These are clever devices that have been total game-changers for me and my shortness of breath.
In this post, I’ll give you the inside scoop on how anxiety breathing necklaces work and how they’ve helped me personally take back control over my breathing. I’ll also dish on some tips so you can decide if a breathing necklace is right for you.
But first…
Here’s the truth about anxious breathing: when we feel stressed or anxious, our breath speeds up and we start taking shorter, shallower breaths without realizing it. This triggers a stress response in the body, leaving us lightheaded and panicky. It becomes a vicious cycle!
Anxiety breathing necklaces are designed to break this cycle discreetly and effectively. They allow you better control over your breath, which in turn helps you take deeper, fuller breaths and as a result, experience less anxiety.
Key takeaways:
- Anxiety often causes shortness of breath and lightheadedness from shallower, faster breathing. This triggers more stress and anxiety.
- Breathing necklaces are devices worn like jewelry that help you control your breath.
- Using the pendant to breathe slower and deeper breaks the anxious breathing cycle.
- Breathing necklaces are portable and discreet, providing calm anytime.
- Daily use can lower anxiety long-term by retraining your nervous system.
- Consider style, size, materials, and needs when choosing a necklace.
- Komuso is the original creator of anxiety breathing necklaces.
- Breathing necklaces allow you to take fuller, more satisfying breaths to reduce anxious feelings.
Use this table of content to jump around the blog post:
My experience with an anxiety breathing necklace
I’ll be totally upfront and say that so far I’ve only used the breathing necklaces from the brand Komuso so far, so when I talk about my experience, this is the brand I’m referring to.
I first came across Komuso when they reached out to me on Instagram, wanting to collaborate on a Reel.
I hadn’t heard of them before then, but I was curious because they promised their product was perfectly suited for me and my anxiety community.
They sent me a free necklace and allowed me to try it out for quite some time before I did the Reel.
If you want to see the Reel I made for them, just watch below, then continue reading.
What is a breathing necklace?
A breathing necklace is a wearable device designed to help manage anxiety through breathwork. It typically has a pendant in the shape of a little tube. Because of the materials used and colours that go with it, these necklacse go quite nicely with whatever your outfit is (if that is important to you!).
You wear it like you would a regular necklace, and it doesn’t interfere with your daily activities like working, reading, or going for a walk.
Because it serves a purpose, you could call this functional jewelry!
Breathing necklaces provide a few key advantages over other anxiety aids like weighted blankets or fidget toys.
They’re portable – Their pendant design allows for discreet wearability anywhere, unlike weighted blankets. You can keep the calming benefits with you throughout your day.
They’re discreet – There is no sound, allowing you to use the breathing necklace privately without drawing attention like fidget toys.
They provice instant calm – By guiding you to actively focus on slower, more mindful breathing, it provides instant anxiety relief right when you need it.
How can a breathing necklace help with anxiety?
When we’re feeling anxious, one of the first things to go out the window is our breathing.
Think about it…
You start to worry about a symptom and the last thing you’re going to is to sit down and remember your breathing exercises. You’re wayyy too focussed on getting rid of whatever symptom is affecting you in that moment!
This is where the necklace comes in handy.
It gives you an alternative way to regain control in the moment you’re worrying and tensing your body. In as little as two minutes of practice, you can feel calmer.
Here are a few specific anxiety and panic symptoms regular use may help alleviate:
Do racing thoughts keep you up at night? The necklace’s slower out-breathing allows you to focus and quiet your mind.
Get hit with sudden panic attacks? Getting control of your breath is so important to stop a panic attack before it gets worse. The necklace gives you an easy breathing guide when you really need it.
Feel dizzy, tingly, or experience heart palpitations? These anxiety symptoms are often caused by breathing too fast. Slower breathing can make them go away.
The benefits of daily use
Using your anxiety necklace consistently can lead to lasting lifestyle changes. Studies have shown that practicing controlled breathing for just a few minutes a day can lower stress over time.
By giving you a portable way to manage anxiety, breathing necklaces enable positive lifestyle changes like:
- Feeling calmer and less stressed overall
- Being able to focus and concentrate better
- Improved sleep quality
- More energy and reduced fatigue
- Increased ability to cope with challenging or triggering situations
The science-y reason daily breathwork helps so much is by changing how your nervous system responds. Shallow breathing puts your body in “fight or flight” panic mode. But slower breathing activates your “rest and digest” chill out mode instead.
By using the necklace to practice slow breathing every day, you’re retraining your nervous system to relax more. It’s like giving your body a daily dose of stress resilience!
One of the best things you can do for yourself is make sure to take nice, deep breaths. Breathing keeps you grounded, calm, and peaceful. But it’s easy to forget when you’ve got anxiety!
That’s why having the necklace is so great – it reminds you take those slow, deep breaths whenever you need it. More oxygen gets into your lungs, which lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and stress.
Tips for choosing the right necklace
Before I say anything about choosing the right necklace, let me address the elephant in the room…
“Why not just use a free straw?!”
Honestly? Straws and breathing necklaces just aren’t made the same. Period.
Firstly, let’s talk about cleanliness. When you exhale into any type of device, there is potential of moisture accumulating in the shaft. And when this happens, it can quickly lead to bacteria growth.
I don’t know about you, but if I’m putting my mouth on a breathing device, I want to know it is always going to be clean!
Breathing necklaces are typically made from steel which is safe to use every day.
Secondly, the length matters. Straws are clearly longer and not made with the specific purpose of extending your breath for a certain amount of time like these necklaces are. To turn off your stress response, your out breath needs to extend for 8-10 seconds. The 8.5 inch length of a typical straw will make this very difficult, while a 2 inch pendant won’t.
In the end, I encourage you to not simply look at it as a simple tool – but rather as a gentle reminder to take more meaningful deep breaths throughout your day.
Consider the following when shopping for a breathing necklace:
- Style: If you like to match your jewelry to your outfit, then this will be an important consideration for you. Anxiety breathing necklaces come in all different colours and styles!
- Size: Not all necklaces are the same size. And, not all are necklaces at all – there are even breathing cuffs now available.
- Needs: If you’re more on the sporty side, you may want to consider a necklace with quick drying nylon cord over a regular necklace chain.
- Materials: It goes without saying that the materials used in the necklace are important. Some brands use harmful metals and fragile chains while certain types of steel (surgical) remain a lot cleaner than other materials.
How do you use an anxiety breathing necklace?
Using a breathing necklace is quick and easy to use anywhere, anytime.
Follow the four steps below and you’re on your way to creating a better breathing habit:
- Take a deep breath in through your nose, let it get deep in through your chest and down into your belly
- Hold for 5 – 10 seconds if you’re able to
- Exhale through your necklace slowly until all air has left your body
- Repeat as many times as you need to reach a state of peace and calm
You can scroll back up to see me using it in the video.
Which anxiety breathing necklace do I recommend?
Maybe you saw this coming, but the one necklace I recommend because I use it and know the difference it has made for me, is US-manufactured, Komuso.
If you’re looking for an effective, high-quality anxiety breathing necklace, Komuso is a leader in mindfulness jewelry and accessories.
While many “copy-cats” have appeared since Komuso’s launch, they are the original creators of the anxiety breathing necklace.
They’re a brand I trust not only because they have over 150,000 happy customers (me included!), have countless therapists and doctors recommending their products, but also because the owners themselves created the brand after being overwhelmed with anxiety and stress themselves, so they truly can relate to the struggles you face.
Komuso offers 3 main breathing necklace styles:
Classic Shift (best seller) – The original model with a cable chain or luxe box chain is an elegant looking piece of functional jewelry. To suit all styles, it comes in four beautiful colours; matte slate, sterling silver, 14k gold, and rose gold. Both the 2 inch pendant and chain are made from surgical grade stainless steel, so you know you’re getting the best quality.
Get the Classic Shift here (save 15%)
Active Shift – A more compact pendant optimized for exercise, travel, and those who live more active lives. It’s also great for students! This shift is also made from the same surgical grade stainless steel of the Class Shift, with one slight difference. The steel is covered in premium ceramic that is corrosion resistant, durable, and gives it that sporty look; along with the adjustable nylon cord. Active Shift also comes in four cool colours; white, Northern lights (navy), Armor black, and soft pink.
Get the Active Shift here (save 15%)
Cuff Shift – This stylish cuff pendant is disguised as an elegant bracelet, also made from the same quality materials as the Classic Shift, and comes in gold and silver. I too have the cuff, but admittedly it is my least worn out of the three.
Get the Cuff Shift here (save 15%)
I personally wear and use the gold Classic Shift, although I also have the Active in white which I like to take with me if I’m going on a long walk or travelling around.
Even though this is my personal recommendation, I encourage you to read through reviews Komuso has received.
When you purchase through any of the above links, you get a very generous 15% off your order!
Or, if you purchase at another date, simply use the code HONESTLYHOLISTIC15 to save.
Here are some alternatives found on Amazon
Please remember Komuso is the original creator of these necklaces, so be sure to check the origin, source materials, and reviews if you choose to purchase any alternatives.
Flō Stress Relief Mindful Necklace
What’s next for you?
I’d love it if you left me a comment to let me know how you liked this blog post, or, tell me if you have any other questions about the breathing necklaces?
And, to help you along your journey, I’d be honoured if you:
Transparency notice: this post does contain affiliate links which simply means if you do purchase any of the products through the links provided, I will get a small commission in return. This doesn’t cost you anything more, and it helps me to keep this blog ad-free. I will never share any products I have never personally used, and if I ever do, I will surely tell you. If you do make a purchase, thank you for your support.
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