Deep abdominal breathing helps relieve suffering from free-floating anxiety and anxious breathing.

"If you’re suffering from a sense of free-floating anxiety — ill-at-ease without knowing why you’re feeling ill-at-ease — you may be suffering from a vicious circle, with anxious feelings causing anxious breathing, and anxious breathing feeding anxious feelings. Try breaking the circle by very consciously and consistently breathing in a deep, soothing rhythm that engages all the muscles in your abdomen, all the way down. With the in-breath, breathe as deeply into the abdomen as you can, even to the point where the breath feels a little too full. Then let the breath out in a smooth way. Relax all the muscles in your head and shoulders, so that the abdomen is doing all the work. This rhythm may not feel comfortable at first, but it does cut the circle. After a few minutes, let the breath return to a rhythm that feels more easeful. Keep this up as long as you can, and the feelings of anxiety should grow weaker. This deep abdominal breathing can also help relieve stress-induced headaches."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "With Each & Every Breath: A Guide to Meditation"

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