Belly Breathing

Why can it help?

When we’re tense, breathing can become more concentrated in the upper chest. Diaphragmatic or “belly” breathing encourages greater involvement of the diaphragm, the main muscle used for breathing.

Practising it gently can encourage a slower, more efficient breathing pattern and may help reduce some of the physical tension associated with stress.

It’s often easiest to learn when you’re already relatively calm, rather than waiting until you’re extremely anxious.

Think: I’m practising a breathing pattern my body can return to when I’m stressed.

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