How to Learn Deep Breathing

Breathing exercises may improve your overall health by reducing stress, easing tension, lowering blood pressure, slowing a rapid heart rate and improving digestion, according to WebMD. Deep breathing is easy to learn and can be performed virtually anywhere, anytime and in any position. The next time you feel anxious or overwhelmed, take a few minutes to practice a deep breathing exercise. Learning deep breathing techniques can help you relax your body and clear your mind.

Instructions

• 1

  Sit in a comfortable seat, maintaining good posture.

• 2

  Put your left hand on your stomach and your right hand on your chest.

• 3

  Breathe in through your nose, filling your lower lungs. To ensure proper technique, pay attention to your hands as you breathe. When you inhale, your stomach should push your left hand out. Your right hand should not move.

• 4

  Exhale completely through lightly pursed lips. Your left hand should go in as the air leaves the lungs.

• 5

  Repeat this deep breathing technique 3 to 10 times every day. Keep your body relaxed as you perform each repetition. Once you master deep breathing, this exercise can be performed in any comfortable position. According to Andrew Weil, M.D., you will find breathing exercises to be helpful whenever you feel tension, experience difficulty falling asleep or just want to relax.