As we continue with distance learning, it is important to remember to take regular breaks during our online learning. Practice your breathing skills to relax with these useful steps.

By shifting your breathing rate and pattern, you can stimulate the body’s parasympathetic response. This is the opposite to the body’s emergency response system, equally powerful and often referred to as the relaxation response.

Calming Breath

Step 1:

Take a long, slow breath in through your nose, first filling your lower lungs, then your upper lungs.

Step 2:

Hold your breath to the count of three.

Step 3:

Exhale slowly through pursed lips, while you relax the muscles in your face, jaw, shoulders and stomach.

Step 4:

Practice this Calming Breath routine at least ten times a day for several weeks to get into the habit of it.

Use this technique during times of transition, between projects or whenever you want to let go of tension and begin to experience a sense of calm.