What is the term for the type of breathing that involves slow, deep breaths, often used for relaxation and stress reduction?

The term for breathing that uses slow, deep breaths for relaxation and stress reduction is diaphragmatic breathing. It is also called abdominal breathing or belly breathing because the abdomen gently rises as the diaphragm contracts and moves downward.

The diaphragm is a broad muscle beneath the lungs. When it works efficiently, it allows the lungs to expand more fully than they typically do during rapid, shallow chest breathing. This pattern can encourage slower respiration and may help reduce physical signs of stress, such as muscle tension and a racing heartbeat.

Diaphragmatic breathing is used in relaxation exercises, meditation, yoga, singing, and some respiratory-therapy programs. A common mix-up is assuming that every deep breath is automatically diaphragmatic; the defining feature is the diaphragm-led movement, often visible as the belly expanding rather than the shoulders lifting.

It is not the same as forced breathing, rapid breathing, or shallow breathing. Those descriptions refer to effort, speed, or limited breath depth rather than the specific muscle-centered technique.