Stress management: Breathing exercises for relaxation

Why should you do breathing exercises?

Breathing exercises may help you relax and feel better. When you are stressed, breathing exercises have health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, slowing a fast heart rate, making you sweat less, and helping with digestion.¹

Breathing exercises are easy to do. You can do them on your own whenever you want. Breathing exercises don't take long to do and don't cost money. And you don't need any special tools or equipment to do breathing exercises.

Test Your Knowledge

1. You need an instructor to guide you when you do breathing exercises.

1. True
2. False

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Author:	Merrill Hayden	Last Updated: May 21, 2008
Medical Review:	Catherine D. Serio, PhD - Behavioral Health Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
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