Most Westerners tend to breathe shallowly, sometimes almost panting. This kind of shallow breathing activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, the branch that controls the flight or fight response. By learning to breathe more deeply and pulling your breath down to your abdomen, you can consciously activate the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system, the branch that the body uses to relax and begin the process of entering sleep. (p. 1)
Retrieved on May 2, 2014 from http://www.udel.edu/studentwellness/ProgressiveNeuromuscularRelaxation.pdf
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