Complete Breather Exercise

•  Stand up straight. Slumping forward interferes with your lymph circulation, and it makes it difficult to take a good, deep breath.
• Identify anything that is stressing or worrying you. Then allow the disturbing thoughts to dissipate. If necessary, tell yourself, “I’ll think about that as soon as I’ve finished this exercise.”
• Relax your arms and shoulders. Place one hand on your abdomen.
• Slowly exhale through your nose for eight counts. Your goal is to push every last bit of air out of your lungs. But don’t strain. Just let the air float out until you are completely “deflated.”
• Now, take a deep breath in through your nose, for eight counts, focusing on inflating your abdomen. Again, don’t push. Think of the air floating in, just as if you were pumping up an inflatable pillow or a rubber balloon.
• Exhale slowly through your nose for eight counts.
• Repeat the cycle from two to ten times, allowing your attention to remain completely focused on your breathing. Most people find that after a few cycles, their breathing becomes steady and relaxed.