One of the most effective techniques for toning down the stress response involves learning how to breathe diaphragmatically. When stressed, our bodies have a tendency to revert to shallow, rapid, chest breathing. Doing so keeps us in the so-called fight-or-flight mode. Aside from being the most biomechanically efficient way to breathe, deep belly breathing allows us to activate the parasympathetic nervous system response (aka “rest and digest” mode), which is our body’s antidote for the fight-or-flight state.