One of the first strategies is breathing. With more oxygen, the chemistry of our brain changes, blocking effects of stress or excitement that shut down our ability to think clearly. Slow deep breaths relax the body and mind, helping us to feel calmer and begin to problem solve. The most helpful way to do this is to breath slowly and intentionally, which is a practice called mindful breathing. People often think that mindful breathing is a religious practice, but everyone breathes--regardless of their religious affiliation. Mindful breathing simply means being intentional about something we all do, which is breathe. There's also a misconception that mindful breathing is only used to regulate difficult feelings. Actually, regardless of how we're feeling, breathing can help us to be present and really acknowledge our full experiences. There's no specific correct way to breath with our hands or bodies in a specific position. We can just breathe mindfully in the same position as we normally breathe, perhaps with a little bit of a taller posture to allow for more airflow. To try a mindful breathing exercise, you'll want to get comfortable where you are. Check your posture and make sure you're sitting straight up in your torso. Then, just breathe slowly in and out. Some people like to count with their breaths, while others like to say calming praises like "in, out." To practice, breathe in slowly for about three seconds, thinking the word "in" and exhale slowly, thinking the word "out." You might replace the words in or out with words like deep, and slow, calm and ease, and smile and release. Once you've done this, think about how you're feeling. How often do you really take the time to breathe? Just check in with your breath and take that pause. Can you make a commitment to taking a few breathing breaks each day?