Mindful Breathing is a metacognitive strategy for increasing self awareness, regulating cognition, attention and emotions, cultivating wellness and reducing stress. It combines a deep breathing technique with mindfulness that increases our ability to monitor our cognition and regulate our attention and emotions. Mindful breathing increases our resilience to respond to stressful situations and to regulate our responses to them. Using a breathing technique called "diaphragmatic breathing" we can reteach our bodies to slow down and work more efficiently in stressful situations. It also promotes a healthful mindset so we can cope with daily stressors more effectively.

Donald D. Matthews, PsyD has been a teacher, university lecturer and learning specialist in K-12 and higher education for over 30 years. His doctoral research focused on how metacognition can enhance self efficacy beliefs. Dr. Matthews teaches workshops in metacognitive thinking strategies, mindfulness, stress reduction and social emotional learning. His work is accessible at donaldmatthews.wordpress.com and mindfulbreathing.net.

The Psychology of Mindful Breathing, Neuroplasticity, Cultivating Mindfulness and Wellness,