Stress-LESS Tip 2

Steps to reducing stress in your life by Dr. Doris Raymond, PhD.

www.thestressmanagementstore.com

BREATHING

Breathing correctly is the key to good stress management.

1. Start by assessing your breathing. An easy way to do this is to find a small book.
2. Lie down on the floor or on your bed.
3. Place the book on your tummy and breathe at your normal pace and in your normal style. WATCH THE BOOK.
• If the book moves horizontally, or if it does not move at all, then you are breathing incorrectly. You are breathing with your upper chest.
• If the book goes up and down, you are breathing correctly.
4. Practice making the book go up and down. However, do not overdo it, simply take nice, gentle breaths (not huge, deep body-shaking breaths).

Another way to assess your breath:

1. Stand in front of a mirror and take a nice deep breath and watch your shoulders. if they rise, you are breathing incorrectly. You should be able to take a nice deep breath, breathing from the diaphragm without the shoulders going up.

or...

1. Sit and relax your muscles in the best way that you know how.
2. Become aware of the actual physical movement of your belly button as you breathe. It should go out as you breathe in and in as you breathe out.

~Generally people find they are doing reverse breathing and it will take some time and practice to change it.

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