DEEP BREATHING BASICS
What is deep breathing?
Taking slow, purposeful breaths.
When a person becomes anxious, does their breathing usually slow down or speed up?
Faster and shallower.
Through which part of your body should you slowly breathe in?
Your nose.
Deep breathing can help improve which two thinking skills?
Focus and concentration.
What is the first step?
Inhale.
Deep breathing can help reduce stress and what other feeling?
Anxiety.
What can happen to your heart rate when you feel anxious?
It increases.
How many seconds do you breathe in?
4 seconds.
Can deep breathing help reduce pain?
Yes.
What is the second step?
Pause and hold your breath.
During deep breathing, should your breaths be fast or slow?
Slow.
What happens to your muscles during the stress response?
They become tense.
After breathing in, how long do you hold your breath?
4 seconds.
Deep breathing can help lower heart rate, and what else?
Blood pressure.
What is the third step?
Exhale.
When practicing deep breathing, where can you place your hand to feel your breathing?
On your stomach.
Deep breathing helps the body shift from the stress response to which response?
The relaxation response.
How many seconds should you slowly breathe out?
6 seconds.
Deep breathing can promote relaxation and what?
Sleep.
Put these steps in the correct order:
Exhale → Inhale → Pause
Inhale → Pause → Exhale.
How long should you practice deep breathing each day?
About 5–10 minutes.
True or False: Deep breathing can help calm the mind.
True.
When you breathe out, should you breathe through your nose or mouth?
Your mouth.
Name three benefits of deep breathing.
Complete the breathing pattern:
Inhale ___ seconds → Hold ___ seconds → Exhale ___ seconds
4 → 4 → 6