Consider the efficacy of breathing techniques on different ailments, and then make suggestions for breathing practices for one of the following people, including instructions for the breathing technique he or she should try: a. Louise, who suffers from test anxiety b. Jenna, who needs a boost in concentration and energy when studying c. Hal, who has trouble sleeping

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

a. Louise should try diaphragmatic breathing practices, such as simple diaphragmatic breathing, because it calms a person down and counteracts the fight or flight response. In addition, simple diaphragmatic breathing can be done anywhere, including in the middle of a test. For simple diaphragmatic breathing, she should pay attention to her breath. With one hand on her chest and one on her stomach, she should make sure that her stomach is moving and her chest is staying still with each breath.?b. Jenna should practice right-nostril breathing, since it boosts energy. She shouldclose off her left nostril with her index finger and inhale slowly and deeply through her right nostril until she feels a sense of fullness in her lungs. She should hold the breath for a count of 3 seconds, and then exhale slowly and completely through the right nostril. This cycle of breathing should be done 7 to 10 times or until she obtains a sense of being energized.?c. Hal should try restful breathing, which is particularly effective in fighting insomnia. From a lying position, he should first simply pay attention to how he is breathing. After a few moments, he should deepen his breath so that it is filling the deepest part of his lungs. He can count backwards from twenty, saying one number on each inhale, and the word "relax" on each exhale.