Take a deep breath

Q: What effect does breathing have on stress reduction?

A: Experts say proper abdominal breathing gently massages the internal organs, makes your cardiopulmonary system more efficient and regulates the actual flow of breath in and out of the body. It helps maintain a calm, relaxed physical state of well being.

Q: What is proper abdominal breathing?

A: Sit or stand comfortably with your head, neck and trunk erect. Try to keep the body motionless except for the muscles involved in breathing. You breathe with your abdomen, not with your chest. The abdominal muscles control the diaphragm, a muscle that acts like a bellows to squeeze and release the lungs.

Place your hands on your abdomen, between the rib cage and the navel, in order to feel the movement as the muscles contract and relax. Do not try to force the breath. A quick method for deep abdominal breathing is:
1. Relax your arms and shoulders.
2. Rotate your head in a circle, first to the right, then to the left.
3. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath through your nose and exhale. Repeat.
4. Concentrate on your breathing. Put aside all stressful thoughts.

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