In a 2009 review, researchers at Columbia University discussed their finding that slow, deep breathing was associated with reduced stress in groups of people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as in groups of healthy individuals who were managing everyday stress.9 Not only that, but the evidence of stress reduction was often immediate—and, over the long term, deep, diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Our breath is a brilliant built-in tool that’s here to support us in our healing. It’s free, and it’s always available to us as
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