What is Belly Breathing?
Belly breathing, also known as diaphragmatic breathing, is a natural way to activate your body's relaxation response. This technique focuses on breathing deeply into your abdomen rather than shallowly into your chest, which is common during anxiety.
How to Practice Belly Breathing
- Find a comfortable position (lying down is ideal when learning)
- Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly
- Breathe in slowly through your nose, feeling your belly rise
- Keep your chest relatively still
- Exhale slowly through pursed lips
- Feel your belly lower as you exhale
Benefits of Belly Breathing
- Activates the relaxation response
- Reduces physical tension
- Improves oxygen flow
- Helps manage anxiety symptoms
- Can be practiced anywhere