It’s easy to tell someone who has anxiety to relax, but it’s not always easy to actually do it.

People battling anxiety are often told to “get over it,” “relax” or just “push through it,” but the best thing you can tell someone to do is breath.

“It might seem small, but take some time every day to take deep breaths. When we are stressed out, we often take increasingly shallow breath which will always increase our anxiety,” says yoga instructor Kim Crosby Milan of Brown Girls Yoga.

Milan says yoga is a complex healing process that requires your body to find comfort, rather than get competitive. And for those who feel stress, anxiety or depression, the best way to start a yoga practice is find a place that makes you comfortable.

“You know your body and your needs better than anyone else, your comfort and safety is most important,” she notes. “Yoga doesn’t require specialized clothing or any particular body type, so it is important to find a place that allows you to feel welcome.”

In the video above, Milan takes us through eight steps on how to refocus anxious feelings into relaxation. These easy-to-follow moves can help the next time you’re feeling anxious or depressed — or even as preventative measures.

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