Slow rhythmic breathing is a great way to deal with and prevent stress. In our frenetic lives, we need to schedule time every day for mental rest, yet most of us need a nudge...or a shove... to take time to do so. Deep breathing is one of the best and most effective tools, but is so simple, most people discount it. Rhythmic breathing releases not only stress and tension, but endorphins, the "feel good" medicine in our brains. Endorphins have the same molecular makeup as morphine! And we have this on tap and forget to use it!

Stress at work and life raises our adrenalin levels, putting us into the "flight or fight" mode we've all heard about. This ancient survival mechanism, leftover from cavemen, sends all the energy and circulation to the organs needed for survival at that moment, and away from those not needed. That's why our hearts beat so fast and our breathing accelerates when we're scared. We need a heartbeat and breathing to survive. To slow our heartbeats, reduce stress and adrenaline, and release endorphins, we need to breathe deeply, often.

Try it now: Breathe in through your nose to the count of 4, then out through your mouth to the count of 4, deeply from your abdomen, over and over. Do this several times a day. Then you can breathe easy through TSA lines and get to the gates of your life, happily and healthily.