Diaphragmatic Breathing

Most anxious people chest-breathe without knowing it — short, shallow breaths that reinforce the stress response. Proper breathing uses the diaphragm, the muscle beneath your lungs.

Diaphragmatic breathing expands your belly on inhale and contracts on exhale. Chest barely moves. This draws air into the lower lungs and engages the vagus nerve.

Practice lying down with a book on your belly.