The first defense to managing stress is not Tylenol, Motrin…, but instead deep breathing. Caution, if you suffer from panic and anxiety and or agoraphobia, this technique is not recommended until after the symptoms are history. This is because breathing techniques require internal focusing which is not recommended for anxiety sufferers. For them external relaxation techniques are recommended–see the resource box.

As we react to stress, it is normal that our breathing is immediately affected. It becomes shallow and upper chest which is actually part of the defense mechanism. Even that stress relief sigh is usually a tense upper chest unhealthy breadth.

We generally make three basic mistakes in breathing:

• Then when we do take a deep breadth, we force our lungs to expand against our chest putting chest muscles in spasm. This can create chest and back pain.
• We’re so consumed with our appearance that we learn to hold in our stomachs which greatly limits our breathing to the upper chest.
• Some of us lift our shoulders to take in that deep breadth. It’s called “clavicle breathing” and it contributes to neck and headache.

Life is about stress and as we adapt to higher and higher levels of stress from one year to the next, our normal breathing becomes tense. Even as we sleep, we may breathe in a tense manner. The tense breathing also affects our posture, blocks our Chakras–the natural flow of energy through our bodies, and starves the body of much needed oxygen.

No matter what the physical health problem–headaches, neck aches, muscle pain… (all direct effects of stress), or disease such as cancer, heart disease… it’s important to address breathing (except for anxiety sufferers as previously noted). The problem is that no one makes any money from deep breathing. No drugs are required so you will not hear an announcement on the radio, “Remember to do your stress reduction deep breathing exercise!”

Look for times during the day when you are feeling defensive, in a rush, under pressure, stressed… It’s during these times that instead of tensing as you normally would, that you instead remember to do your stress relief deep breathing.

And all you have to do to engage your first defense against stress is to consciously become aware of your breathing. Then shift from your upper chest tense breathing consciously to an abdominal breath.

How to take an abdominal breadth—the first defense against stress:
• Let your stomach and abdomen relax.
• Breathe down through your chest into your stomach.
• Let your stomach expand outward.
• Let your chest expand slightly at the end of the breadth.

As you exhale:
• Pull your stomach inward.
• Expel all the air up through your chest.

If you can hear yourself breathe, you are breathing too fast. Ten to twelve breaths per minute is fine. If you feel your shoulders lifting as you inhale, it is a tense breadth. Just let your shoulders be loose and limp as you inhale and exhale. Let your arms hang from your shoulder like rope.

If you have the time, take a class in Yoga breathing to get in some serious breathing. Yoga will provide many healthful benefits.

When to do your deep breathing: Make a list of times during the day when it would be appropriate to take advantage of the deep breathing stress management technique such as:
• Whenever you’re at a red light.
• Before answering the phone or making a phone call.
• As you’re waiting for your computer to load a program or shut down.
• Before eating or drinking.
• Before entering a building or an office.
• As you listen to someone conversing with you.
• Whenever you can remember to take a deep breadth.
• Whenever you notice yourself feeling stressed.
Remember, no one makes money on deep breathing so you will not hear an announcer on the radio reminding you to take your deep breadth exercise to manage stress.

Several deep breathing exercises are available one one inexpensive cd to manage stress, live longer, and even eliminate hyperventilation. Practicing the exercises produces real results. Go to http://hypnocast.podbean.com/ for the podcast version of this article.

Richard Kuhns B.S.Ch.E., NGH certified is a prominent figure in the field of stress management. His best selling cds for managing stress are at http://www.PanicBusters.com and http://www.DStressDoc.com He aims to raise awareness as to how using basic stress management skills can be used to promote health. To find out more please visit http://www.dstressdoc.com/stressSeries.htm

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