If you happen to be in the unfortunate occurrence of a breakdown, it’s essential that you try to relax to whatever extent is possible, and stay clear minded. This will make the experience go in a much smoother and less stressful way – and will actually make the time seem like it’s going faster. In this blog post, I’ll detail a foolproof way to make yourself feel relaxed on the spot.
Tactical Breathing
Controlling your breathing is a time honored technique that can help you manage stress on the spot. This tool, also known as combat breathing, helps firefighters and soldiers in high stress and high risk situations every single day. With just a bit of practice, you can fully control your breathing, relax, and manage your stress. Here’s how to do it.
Breathe in deep from your diaphragm. This should make your stomach expand, filling out to make room for the air, and contracting as you breathe out. Picture your stomach like a balloon filling up with air, and smoothly emptying as you breathe out.
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Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds
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Hold your breath for 4 seconds
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Breathe out through your lips for 4 seconds
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Hold your breath for 4 seconds
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Repeat this cycle until you can feel your body and mind relax
Feel free to add your own variations to this breathing technique. For example, I like to breathe in for 7 seconds, and hold until 8. Holding your breath can help slow down your heart beat. Breathing out is a way for your body to relax, and by extending your exhale you can really feel your body letting go of stress. This technique can be done anywhere, but is especially effective when you’re in a high stress vehicle breakdown and need to relax while the towing company is on the way to help you. It will make the entire experience much much more pleasant.