Deep Breathing Exercise
Deep Breathing is one of easiest stress management techniques to learn and the best thing about it is it can be done anywhere!
When we become stressed, one of our body's automatic reactions is shallow, rapid breathing which can increase our stress response. Taking deep, slow breaths is an antidote to stress and is one way we can "turn-off" our stress reaction and "turn-on" the relaxation response. Deep breathing is the foundation of many other relaxation exercises and can aid sleep.
Get into a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down.
Put one hand on your stomach, just below your rib cage.
Slowly breathe in through your nose. Your stomach should feel like it is rising and expanding outward.
Exhale slowly through your mouth, emptying your lungs completely and letting your stomach fall.
At the end of each in and out breathe you will notice a natural pause, never rush this, just allow the breathe to start when it comes naturally.
Repeat several times until you feel relaxed.
Practice several times a day.
When we become stressed, one of our body's automatic reactions is shallow, rapid breathing which can increase our stress response. Taking deep, slow breaths is an antidote to stress and is one way we can "turn-off" our stress reaction and "turn-on" the relaxation response. Deep breathing is the foundation of many other relaxation exercises and can aid sleep.
Get into a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down.
Put one hand on your stomach, just below your rib cage.
Slowly breathe in through your nose. Your stomach should feel like it is rising and expanding outward.
Exhale slowly through your mouth, emptying your lungs completely and letting your stomach fall.
At the end of each in and out breathe you will notice a natural pause, never rush this, just allow the breathe to start when it comes naturally.
Repeat several times until you feel relaxed.
Practice several times a day.
