September 28, 2004 9:21 AM

LSD approach to de-stress on the job
Posted by at 9:21 AM

No, not that one. The Cape Cod Times is running a week-long series of articles to help workers "just relax" which of course, is always easier said than done. The Long, Slow, Deep approach is a hypnotic technique which anyone can do to let the steam out from a stressful situation.

[ Hypnotherapist Nancy Canning ] prefers the LSD approach (no, not that one) which involves taking periodic breaths that are Long, Slow and Deep.

"You literally have to feel yourself breathing and think about inhaling and exhaling and nothing else," she said.

Here's how:

• Close your eyes and draw a deep breath until you can feel it in your stomach.
  At the apex of the inhale, hold your breath for a few seconds while relaxing your head and neck muscles.


• Push all of the air out of your body.


• "If you do this for just 10 seconds a couple times a day, you'll be able to feel the pressure lift off your shoulders, which is the main area where tension builds," she said. "It sounds so simple, but it really helps."

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