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Relaxed Breathing Exercise 2 (Audio)

Relaxed Breathing Exercise 2 is an audio track taken from the Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection. The aim of this breathing exercise is to promote relaxation while staying grounded.

Relaxed diaphragmatic breathing serves to increase activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and soothing. The listener is guided to use imagery of inflating a balloon to help them make their breathing slower, deeper, and more regular. It is designed for anyone who is experiencing stress or heightened physiological arousal, and who would like to learn relaxation techniques

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Audio track (MP3)

A therapy audio track designed for skills development.

Audio script (PDF)

The script for a therapy audio track. Read along with an exercise, or record in your own voice.

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Languages this resource is available in

  • English (GB)
  • English (US)

Problems this resource might be used to address

Techniques associated with this resource

Introduction & Theoretical Background

Breathing Exercise 2 is an audio track from the Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection but is designed to help anyone experiencing stress or heightened physiological arousal. Breathing Exercise 2 uses the imagery of inflating a balloon to help the listener make their breathing slower, deeper, and more regular. These actions serve to increase activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and soothing.

Therapist Guidance

This audio track is designed for anyone who experiences stress or who would like to learn relaxation techniques. The audio track is a simple .mp3 file which can be played in most media player apps. You can also download the verbatim script, allowing you to record the exercise for your clients in your own voice to reinforce work completed in therapy.

References And Further Reading

  • Elton, D., Burrows, G. D., & Stanley, G. V. (1978). Relaxation theory and practice. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 24(3), 143-149.
  • Hackmann, A., Bennett-Levy, J., & Holmes, E. A. (2011). Oxford guide to imagery in cognitive therapy. Oxford university press.