Learn How to Breathe

Slower, deeper breathing is a skill you can use to reduce your physical reactions when you're upset to feel more in control. When people are stressed out they tend to tighten the muscles in their chest and breath very shallow and quickly.

Breathing from your chest causes you to get less air, creates muscle tension, increases anxiety, and can cause you to hyperventilate!

Try Breathing from Your Belly...

Breathe from the diaphragm, right below where your ribs separate. Place your hand on your belly with your pinky above your bell-button and one hand on your chest. When you inhale, your stomach should fill up like a balloon... When you exhale it should deflate, causing your hand to move up and down. The hand on your chest shouldn't move at all. If your chest or shoulders are rising and falling, you aren't doing it right!

Deep Breathing takes Practice...

Often people think they know how to breathe, or that it is a silly thing to practice. But it's so important to learn how to do it right! We suggest you practice the breathing skill at least once a day for the next week. Try to spend about 5-10 minutes on this exercise every day. You may also use breathing whenever you feel tense throughout the day.

Remember, it's always best to practice deep breathing when you're already feeling calm. That way, next time you feel upset, you already know what to do!

Click Play To Practice Deep Breathing!