Page 50 - Horizons Manual
P. 50
Deep Breathing
The Self-Soothe skill helps you feel more calm and comfortable. Another way you can use Self-Soothe is by practicing deep breathing.
When you are under stress your breathing is much different than when you feel relaxed. Your body feels different, too. Paying attention to your breathing can help you notice how stressed or relaxed you feel.
When you feel stressed it is likely that:
Your breathing is fast
Your breath comes from your chest
Your body feels tense
Your heart is beating faster
When your breathing is fast and your body is tense it is hard to relax. It can also be hard to think clearly, make effective decisions, and feel calm.
Deep breathing helps you slow down your breathing. Slowing down your breathing will relax your body and help you think more clearly. This can also lower your anxiety and help you make effective decisions.
When you practice deep breathing to calm down, you might notice these changes:
Your breathing is slow
Your breath comes from your belly
Your body feels relaxed
Your heart is beating more slowly
50
