Relaxed Breathing Exercise 4 (Audio)
Relaxed Breathing Exercise 4 is an audio track from the Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection. Slow, relaxed, diaphragmatic breathing can affect activity in the autonomic nervous system – decreasing sympathetic and increasing parasympathetic activity.
This exercise is designed to help anyone suffering from stress, who is experiencing heightened physiological arousal, or who would like to learn relaxation techniques. This exercise teaches the listener how to make their breathing slower and more regular by following a counted rhythm.
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Audio track (MP3)
A therapy audio track designed for skills development.
Audio script (PDF)
The script for a therapy audio track. Read along with an exercise, or record in your own voice.
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
Breathing Exercise 4 is an audio track from the Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection but is designed to help anyone experiencing stress or heightened physiological arousal. Breathing Exercise 4 guides the listener through simple instructions to breathe in a more relaxed fashion. Counting is employed as a strategy to help the listener maintain focus, and to make their breathing slower, deeper, and more regular. These actions serve to increase activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and soothing.
Therapist Guidance
This audio track is designed for anyone who experiences stress or who would like to learn relaxation techniques. The audio track is a simple .mp3 file which can be played in most media player apps. You can also download the verbatim script, allowing you to record the exercise for your clients in your own voice to reinforce work completed in therapy.
References And Further Reading
- Elton, D., Burrows, G. D., & Stanley, G. V. (1978). Relaxation theory and practice. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 24(3), 143-149.
- Hackmann, A., Bennett-Levy, J., & Holmes, E. A. (2011). Oxford guide to imagery in cognitive therapy. Oxford university press.