Thank you for stopping by DietDesigns.com! I hope you'll consider our site your second home for healthy, happy living. If you're like most people I meet, you may be so busy keeping up with your schedule that you miss the small time-outs that can make a big difference in a day. I've created my own corner at DietDesigns.com to give those moments back to you. The topic at Carrie's Corner changes, but the message stays the same: Every day is a new opportunity to enjoy life and treat yourself well. Please visit often to refresh your viewpoint and catch up on my latest tips for making every moment count. Just Breathe Have you ever felt so... stressed out that you think you've stopped breathing? You're not alone, at one time or another, most of us have experienced this. Luckily, our bodies are perfectly regulated to keep us breathing both unconsciously and effortlessly. As we breathe, oxygen that is inhaled purifies our blood by removing toxic waste products circulating throughout our blood systems. Irregular breathing caused by stress keeps these pollutants in circulation. The digestive tract may also go out of whack leaving tissues & organs undernourished, ultimately jeopardizing our health and well-being. The good news is we can control and even recondition our breathing patterns. The following relaxed breathing technique will balance and rejuvenate your body and mind. First, gently close your eyes. Lie on your back in a bed or recliner; placing your feet slightly apart. Lightly rest one hand on your abdomen near your navel, and the other hand on your chest. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, calmly experiencing the air in your lungs. As you slowly count to 4, gently inhale, slightly distending your abdomen to make it rise about one-inch. Pause for one second, then slowly exhale, letting your abdomen fall and your diaphragm relax upward. Pause for another second and repeat this process five to ten times. As you become more comfortable with this technique, you can practice relaxed breathing while seated or standing. Remember, the word stressed spells desserts backwards, so treat your selves to life's "little pleasures" and "Just Breathe".