Skill

Slow My Breathing

Use your breathing to calm your body down.

What it is

Slow breathing means deliberately changing the pace of your breath so your body has a chance to settle.

How to do it

Put both feet on the floor if possible.

Let your shoulders drop.

Breathe in slowly through your nose.

Exhale more slowly than you inhaled.

Repeat several times while focusing on the air leaving your body.

Remember

Slowing your breathing does not solve the problem. It helps you stop your body from solving it for you.

Want to understand this more deeply?

Chapter 1: Calm My Body

Read the story and teaching behind this skill, then come back here when you want to practice it.

Bring attention back to the present instead of the escalating story.

Release physical tension before it feeds the emotional reaction.

Give yourself enough time to choose instead of react.