Somebody once told me that their idea for the sound of mental health is the exhale. And I think that is a really beautiful way of thinking about our mental health. That moment of letting go, of relaxation, of being very much in the moment. 

Today we focus on Breathing 

• We do it all of the time. 

• We need it to survive.

• We do it without thinking.

• And we can do it more mindfully, and more intentionally. 

• It can help lower blood pressure

• It gets oxytocin flowing around the body

• It lets go of stress

• It can ultimately help with pain management. 

• It can help reduce depression, if practiced regularly. 

How to practice diaphragmatic breathing

1. Sit or lie in a comfortable position. 

2. Relax your body and exhale fully. 

3. Place one hand on your sternum and one hand on your belly. As you inhale, fill your belly. Feel the air traveling from your nose to throat, upper chest, and belly. Allow your belly and rib cage to rise and expand as you take a deep breath. 

4. Exhale through your mouth. 

5. Repeat. 

Resources

• You can explore a number of different breathing techniques here.