Take a Deep Breath— And Lower Your Blood Pressure

Take a Deep Breath— And Lower Your Blood Pressure

Take a deep, slow breath in.Then breathe out just asslowly. Maintain that relaxedrhythm—about six breaths perminute—for 10 minutes. You’vejust lowered your blood pressure.

In one study, adults with highblood pressure used this sametechnique, with dramatic results:Their systolic blood pressurefell nearly 10 points, and theirdiastolic pressure fell aboutfour points.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Sit comfortably in a chair.
  • Breathe in while slowlycounting to five. Concentrateon how the air flows throughyour nose.
  • Breathe out while slowlycounting from six to 10. Keepfocusing on the flow of air.
  • Continue for 10 minutes.
  • Repeat daily.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine,Vol. 14, No. 2

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