A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

In April 2011's SHAPE magazine, I found out that 44% of Americans stress levels have increased in the last five years.  WOW!  Taking the time out to breathe in clean air will definitely help us overcome some of the stresses.  What I mean is: instead of breathing heavy try to relax and take in air slowly.  According to Dr. Jeffrey Rossman, Ph.D., author of The Mind-Body Mood Solution, "Most people breathe 12 to 20 times per minute.  But if you aim for six per minute, you hit the perfect balance - you feel calm without being so relaxed you want to sleep."  Let's take the next minute or so by taking five seconds for every inhale and exhale.  There, feel better?