Hi icelander,

I worry a little when I read that someone is doing deep breathing to relax. Overdoing it leads to carbon dioxide depletion and hyperventilation. There also is rarely a long lasting, positive mental outcome.

The powerful Breathing Meditation I have been taught is to:

Sit comfortably in a peaceful room with no chance of distraction.
Close your eyes half way, facing forward, you are not trying to go to sleep.
Breathe normally, steadily and calmly through your nose.
Concentrate on the feeling of your breath entering and leaving your body, think of nothing else.
Your mind will calm and become clear. Concentrate on that Clarity.
Continue for 10 minutes or so, in which you should achieve 2-3 minutes Clarity of Mind.
If your thoughts wander, concentrate on your breathing again.

As with everything, practice makes achieving Clarity easier.

Dave.