We already know that finger breathing is designed to stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system – but how exactly does it do that?

O’Keefe explains that the stress-relieving benefits associated with finger breathing are down to two main factors: the tracing and the slow, deep breaths.

“When your mind is racing, it’s not enough to just stop and meditate – you have to give your mind something to focus on,” she says.

“The gentle touch paired with the slow, deep breaths communicate to your nervous system that you’re safe – there’s no danger.”

The breathing can really help to regulate the nervous system, O’Keefe adds: “Your nervous system doesn’t communicate through words – it communicates by checking in on how you’re breathing.”

Finger breathing: try this simple technique when you’re feeling stressed out