How to Slow Down

The next time you find yourself in a state of stress or anxiety while talking with a loved one, try extending your “out” breaths, your exhalations. 

With every sentence you speak, see how many words you can speak before you take your next breath. You may even play with slowing down your speech.

Read out loud, breathing at the commas:

The rain,
in Spain,
stays mainly,
​in the plain.*

Now read this version of the sentence out loud, breathing at the commas

The rain in Spain,
​ stays mainly in the plain.

And, finally, breathe out, breathe in, and read:

​The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.

How did each version feel? What did you sense as you slowed down with longer breaths out, or exhalations?

*from My Fair Lady by Lerner and Loewe