Breathe Deep

When taking a deep breath in, it is a common mistake that people lift their shoulders and expand their chest to do so. This method is not efficient and if done repeatedly would result in feelings of anxiousness especially if you were in a situation where you were finding it difficult to breathe such as with asthma or if you had a lung infection.  The more natural and efficient breathing technique would result in the expansion of your abdomen on inhalation.  This would indicate the diaphragm is lowering to help the expansion of the lungs downward to fill with air. Conversely, the stomach would move back inward when exhaling, and no movement of the shoulders or chest would occur. 

There are two techniques that can help you get the air you need without working so hard.  Pursed lips breathing and diaphragmatic (also called belly or abdominal) breathing.  Pursed lips breathing helps you focus, slow your breathing down and stay calm. 

Pursed lips breathing should be used during and after....