[Low-intensity psychological interventions for anxiety].

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Mental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Anxiety disorders impact millions globally, with significant access barriers to conventional treatments.
• Subclinical anxiety symptoms require accessible, sustainable, non-pharmacological interventions.
• The parasympathetic nervous system's role in anxiety management is an area of growing interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the effectiveness of daily breathing exercises for managing subclinical anxiety.
• To investigate participant experiences with a four-week breathing exercise intervention.
• To assess the potential of breathing exercises as a scalable, low-cost mental health solution.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research approach with 10 participants (mild to moderate self-reported anxiety).
• Four-week daily breathing exercise intervention.
• Semi-structured, in-depth interviews and thematic analysis for data interpretation.

Main Results:

• Breathing exercises significantly reduced anxiety by enhancing emotional regulation and relaxation.
• Participants reported improved self-agency, resilience, and physical symptom alleviation.
• Identified barriers included initial skepticism and inconsistent adherence to the intervention.

Conclusions:

• Breathing exercises are a viable, scalable, non-pharmacological intervention for anxiety management.
• Integration into daily routines and community mental health programs is feasible.
• Promoting awareness and accessibility of breathing techniques is recommended.