Breathing to Relieve Anxiety.

I decided today to teach you how to breathe for relaxation….

Start by breathing in slowly and deeply through your nose. Make sure your shoulders are down and relaxed. In this exercise, your stomach should expand, but your chest should rise very little. When we breathe through the chest it does little in helping us relax.

Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest so you can feel how you are breathing. Make sure it is from your stomach. Exhale slowly through your mouth. As you blow air out, keep tongue and jaw relaxed. You may hear a soft “whooshing” sound as you exhale. That’s good, listen for that sound every time you practice and learn to value it as the sound of relaxation.

Repeat this breathing exercise for several minutes. Make your outgoing breath as long and smooth as you can.I like to count to 10 as I’m exhaling. The out breath is the key to relaxation so give it your full attention and practice breathing out in a long slow controlled breath and you will quickly feel the benefit.

Tell me your story.

Carrie