Overview
It's common for clients to enter a session overwhelmed or stressed. When they do, some can have difficulty focusing or accessing their higher thinking for a productive session, which can contribute to the sense of overwhelm. When that's the case, it can be helpful to pause to settle their system with deep breathing.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>It can be helpful to walk them through the exercise while doing it with them to add a layer of co-regulation.&nbsp;</li>
<li>It can also be helpful for both of you to close your eyes or lower your gaze as you breathe to reduce incoming stimuli, as 10 of the 11 million bits of information per second coming in through our senses are coming through the eyes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Exercise&nbsp;
4-Count Inhale&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>We're going to breathe in through our nose for a slow, deep 4-count all the way into the lower belly</li>
</ul>
1-Second Hold
8-Count Exhale
<ul>
<li>Breathe out through the mouth with pursed lips slowly for an 8-count&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
1-Second Hold
Repeat 4 Times

Overview

It's common for clients to enter a session overwhelmed or stressed. When they do, some can have difficulty focusing or accessing their higher thinking for a productive session, which can contribute to the sense of overwhelm. When that's the case, it can be helpful to pause to settle their system with deep breathing. 

 * It can be helpful to walk them through the exercise while doing it with them to add a layer of co-regulation. 
 * It can also be helpful for both of you to close your eyes or lower your gaze as you breathe to reduce incoming stimuli, as 10 of the 11 million bits of information per second coming in through our senses are coming through the eyes.  

Exercise 

4-Count Inhale 

 * We're going to breathe in through our nose for a slow, deep 4-count all the way into the lower belly

1-Second Hold

8-Count Exhale

 * Breathe out through the mouth with pursed lips slowly for an 8-count 

1-Second Hold

Repeat 4 Times

Settling Our Breath Exercise