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Deep breathing is a good relaxation skill for new non-smokers. If when you smoked, you inhaled deeply, you probably were breathing in a way which actually promoted relaxation. People who stop smoking often forget to continue such deep breathing and therefore experience increased tension. This is basically how the exercise is done:
- Sit in a quiet place where you will not be interrupted for a few minutes.
- Think about something that makes you feel good.
- With your mouth closed and your shoulders relaxed, inhale through your nose slowly and deeply to a count of eight. As you do that, push your stomach out.
- Hold that breath to the count of four.
- Breathe out slowly through your mouth to the count of eight.
- Repeat this inhale-hold-exhale cycle five times.
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