I ncrease stamina and overall health by breathing properly. The key is in the exhale.

Exercise: Stand facing straight ahead. Raise arms directly overhead. Force an exhale by squeezing the belly toward the spine until it hurts a little. Let the breath come in naturally and effortlessly.

When the breath is as big as it can get without forcing it, bend from the chest side to side like a metronome while simultaneously counting as fast as you can (like an auctioneer), clearly and softly but out loud, from one up to a maximum of 20.

Let the rest of any exhale occur as you lower your arms. Repeat up to 10 times several times a day.

When you are in stressful situations: Force out your belly breath, extending the exhale to at least four times the length of your inhale. Then let the deeper, longer inhale occur on its own.

This controls your stress response... lets you take in extra oxygen... and facilitates deeper relaxation for work, play and sleep.