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Belly breathing for relaxation
Belly breathing is the most recognized breathing exercise technique
to help people relax. When you breathe from your belly, automatically
your diaphragm pulls down. This pulls down your lungs and allows
you to inhale fully and deeply.
Caution: If you feel uncomfortable at any point during this breathing
exercise, just go back to breathing normally.
How to do belly breathing
1 Lie down comfortably on your back.
2 Inhale via your nose, exhale via your nose or mouth.
3 Place one hand on your stomach and your other hand on your
chest.
You should see your hand on your stomach move up with each
inhale and move down with each exhale. The hand on your chest
should only move slightly.
4 Your breath should only come from your belly. Try to make your
exhale longer than your inhale as this will quickly can make you feel
more relaxed.
Note: The RelaxBreathe function of the Sleep & Wake-Up Light can
guide you during belly breathing.
You can select one of seven relaxation programs with preset
breathing rhythms. Each relaxation program has a different breathing
rhythm. The program '4 breaths' is preset to 4 breaths per minute.
Program '5 breaths' is preset to 5 breaths a minute. Each next program
has one additional breath per minute. The last program (10 breaths) is
preset to 10 breaths per minute.
You can select light or sound to guide you during the selected
relaxation program. Follow the light or sound when you inhale and
exhale.
- For guidance with light, inhale when the light intensity increases. In
between the two subtle light flashes, hold your breath. Exhale
slowly when the light intensity decreases.
- For guidance with sound, inhale when the intensity of the sound of
the waves increases. When the intensity of the sound pauses, hold
your breath. Slowly exhale when the intensity of the sound of the
waves decreases.
Follow your preferred rhythm with the help of light or sound for a
more relaxed feeling. You can even do this with your eyes closed.