Sit up straight wherever you are

Drop your shoulders, allowing your shoulder blades to fall down and come together

Unclench your jaw and relax your face.

Place one hand on your chest and one on your abdomen

Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose

Take the breath down to the bottom of your lungs

Keep the hand on your chest still and allow the hand on your abdomen to rise

See how far out you can push the bottom hand


This is diaphragmatic breathing


Breathe out through slowly through your mouth

If you feel the hand on your chest moving you are using the accessory muscles not the diaphragm.

Place your palms together in front of your chest and push together. This fixes the accessory muscles and it is easier to use the diaphragm.


Use this exercise whenever you need it…


When someone upsets you


When you hear bad news


Before you call loves ones you are unable to visit this year


Cultivate the habit of making your breathing a conscious activity, and feel the benefits