The Coping Club: Deep Breathing

Topic: Deep Breathing

The Stress Bucket - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KYC5SsJjx8

Deep Breathing

The purpose of deep breathing is to relax the body and calm the mind and emotions

Abdominal vs. Chest Breathing

• Abdominal breathing starts in the nose and moves to the stomach as the diaphragm contracts,
• causing the belly to expand and the lungs to fill with air.
• Compared with chest breathing, abdominal breathing not only brings in more oxygen, but it’s also more efficient, because it pulls down on the lungs. The negative pressure in the chest cavity that is created with breathing in is enhanced, resulting in more air flowing into the lungs.

Tips to get started and to keep going

• As much as you can, clear your mind of the things that are stressing you out.
• Focus instead on the sounds and rhythm of your breathing
• Do breathing exercises at least once or twice daily.
• Practice when things are calm
• You can place your hand on your abdomen to ensure that you are deep breathing

Helpful Exercises

• Box Breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G25IR0c-Hj8
• Figure Eight Breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt5hXVD7cZs
• 4-7-8 Breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-1n3KJR1I8

Kids Breathing Techniques:

• Candle and Flower breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTN_MtV5TFw
• Crab Breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUwNAqGftGA