Try to keep your breathing smooth and regular, without gulping in a big breath or letting your breath out all at once. Remember to pause briefly at the end of each inhalation. Count to ten, progressing with each exhalation. If you start to feel light-headed while practicing abdominal breathing, stop for thirty seconds, and then start up again. Five full minutes of abdominal breathing will have a pronounced effect in reducing anxiety or early symptoms of panic.
Some people prefer to count backwards from ten down to one on each breath.
Feel free to do this if you prefer. The Calming Breathing Exercise was adapted from the ancient discipline of yoga. It is a very efficient technique for achieving a deep state of relaxation quickly. Pause and hold your breath to a count of five. Be sure to exhale fully.