Definition

A relaxation technique in which a person focuses on taking slow, deep breaths. Deep breathing involves breathing in slowly through the nose and then out through the mouth using the diaphragm (the thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen) and abdominal muscles. This helps boost the amount of oxygen in the blood, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and reduces muscle tension. Deep breathing may be used to help relieve stress, pain, and anxiety. Also called abdominal breathing and diaphragmatic breathing.