Breathing is the only autonomic system we can wrest control of.

It involves filling the lungs to the max and goes by various names like belly or diaphragmatic breathing.

Breathing is at the core of ancient (and currently trendy) mindfulness practices, from yoga and tai chi to meditation.

In the first half of the 20th century, deep breathing began to emerge on its own as a relaxation method.

Normal human breathing at rest should raise the belly, not the chest.

• Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. 
• Breathe in through your nose and fill your lungs from the bottom up, first expanding your belly, then your chest, and finally raising the collar bones. 
• Pause. 
• Then gently exhale from top to bottom, using your stomach mus...