Arlington Location

(703) 379-6300

Leesburg Location

(571) 233-0473

Control Your Breathing

Control Your Breathing

image of a peaceful woman.
Relaxed breathing, also called diaphragmatic breathing, can help you relieve stress.

Have you ever noticed how you breathe when you're stressed? Stress typically causes rapid, shallow breathing. This kind of breathing sustains other aspects of the stress response, such as rapid heart rate and perspiration. If you can get control of your breathing, the spiraling effects of acute stress will automatically become less intense. Relaxed breathing, also called diaphragmatic breathing, can help you relieve stress.

Practice this basic technique twice daily, and whenever you feel tense. Follow these steps:

  • Inhale. With your mouth closed and your shoulders relaxed, inhale as slowly and deeply as you can to the count of six. As you do that, push your stomach out. Allow the air to fill your diaphragm.
  • Hold. Keep the air in your lungs as you slowly count to four.
  • Exhale. Release the air through your mouth as you slowly count to six.
  • Repeat. Complete the inhale-hold-exhale cycle three to five times.

Hours of Operation

Arlington Location

Monday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Friday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Leesburg Location

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

By appointment only

2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

By appointment only

2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Friday

Closed

Saturday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Arlington Location

Monday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Leesburg Location

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
By appointment only 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
By appointment only 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

Our Locations

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you