6 WAYS TO BETTER BREATHING
Lie down with a hand on your chest and a hand on your belly; practice breathing from the belly. The hand on your abdomen will float up and down if you do it correctly.
Two or three times a day, stop to notice and feel your breath for a minute or two. Don't try to change it, just observe it. Make this a ritual; for instance, before getting out of the car for work, after you turn off your computer each evening or while you're drinking your morning tea or coffee.
Start a habit of taking one deep, mindful breath in and one slow breath out at certain times of the day, such as when you first get home from work.
Sit in a comfortable, upright position with eyes closed. Feel your thighs touch the chair and your feet become grounded. Notice how your body feels and feel the movement of your breath and the muscles in your belly. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the rise and fall of breath.
Sign up for a class in yoga, meditation or Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.
See the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing's website (takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/therapies/mind-body/breathwork) for exercises.
SARAH MORAN
