(HealthDay News) -- Deep breathing techniques are a great way to fight stress and anxiety, and help you relax.

Here are basic steps to deep breathing, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Lie on your back, on a flat surface.
• Place one hand on your stomach just above your belly button, and the other hand on your chest.
• Inhale slowly, making sure that your stomach rises a bit.
• Hold your breath for a second.
• Slowly exhale, letting your stomach sink back down.