Trauma Narrative

Goal

To be able to do diaphragmatic breathing with ease

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing can be a highly effective relaxation technique. In the next lesson, you will be retelling your trauma experience through a trauma narrative exercise. It will be important for you to be able to relax with ease before completing that exercise as it will likely cause you to feel anxious.

In order to do diaphragmatic breathing properly, it is important to breathe from your diaphragm (abdomen) rather than from your chest muscles. It takes practice to learn how to breathe properly.

Video 1:

Next Step

Now that you have learned how to do diaphragmatic breathing, practice it for at least 10 minutes twice per day in a relaxing environment. Count slowly as you breathe in and think the word relax as you breathe out. You can also go to www.calm.com, click on the clock item and select 10 minutes.