Breathe

Pain can mess with your breathing. You notice it’s “high” and try to fix it by breathing into your stomach because the experts say that’s better. But forcing it won’t work if you’re not addressing the root cause.

Try this instead:

Instead of focusing on your breath, find where the tension is—likely around your diaphragm or ribcage. Focus on that tension and try to release it. It might feel uncomfortable at first, and that’s okay.

Relaxing is a skill. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at it. And don’t overthink breathing—your body’s got that covered. You don’t choke in your sleep, do you? (Well… most of you don’t.)