Proper breathing helps your body break away from the “fight or flight” response. When you are stressed, your breath becomes more rapid and shallow. Deep breathing allows the body to return to a state of calmness and delivers oxygen throughout the body as it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.

Deep breathing is a technique that can be used anywhere and anytime. It is best to practice it in a calm state so that when you are stressed, the technique can be easily implemented.

Belly Breathing

• Lie on your back. Put your hands on your belly.
• With your mouth closed, breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 4 as your belly expands.
• Hold the breath for a count of 2.
• Slowly exhale the breath though your mouth as your belly retracts.
• Repeat several times.

Making it fun for children

• Blowing a pinwheel
• Blowing a feather
• Blowing bubbles.
• Placing a stuffed animal on their stomach, while lying down and watching it rise and lower with each breath.
• Add imagery while inhaling, such as a colorful balloon filling up with air and then letting the air out of the balloon upon exhale.
• Add a phrase, such as “ breathe in the good, breathe out the bad.”