The average person breathes in and out some 22,000 times each day, usually with little effort or thought. But what happens if you deliberately slow down your breathing for a little while each day? At rest, most adults take about 12 to 18 breaths per minute. Slow breathing is usually defined as anywhere from six to 10 breaths per minute and features a prolonged exhalation. "Practicing slow, deep breathing for 15 minutes a day can help lower your blood pressure," says Dr. Beth Frates, a lifestyle