The Airline Steward Method of Curing the Hiccups

Today we are going to discuss another breathing method that is used to cure the hiccups. This method is a little more unique than some of the other methods I have discussed so far because it was originally used by Airline Stewards to help cure hiccups while in flight.

This method can actually be performed anywhere so it is not specific to just those who are on a plane. However it does require that you are seated in a chair to perform the exercise correctly.

(Be careful when performing this exercise if you have a bad back or chronic back problems.)

Airline Steward Method to Cure the Hiccups

1. The first thing you need to do is find a chair with a straight back. A standard desk or office chair while usually work, but make sure the back of the chair is straight.
2. Now sit down in the chair and press your back fully against the back of the chair.
3. Take your arms and cross the over your chest as though you are assuming the “crash” position on an airplane. Once you have your arms cross bend forward into a tucked position with your nose pointing towards your knees.
4. Take a moment to let your body relax, and allow yourself to get comfortable.
5. Now slowly apply pressure and squeeze your arms as though you are trying to force the air out of your body.
6. Once you have exhaled the air from your lungs hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds and then release.
7. Stay in the tucked position and continue to repeat the exercise 4 to 5 times and then slowly sit back up.

At this point your hiccups should be gone. If they are not be patient and try some of the other great hiccup cures I have listed on the site.

Diaphragm Stimulation Exercise for Curing Hiccups

Let’s take a look at another good breathing exercise to help you cure the hiccups. This exercise uses a combination of controlled breathing and visualization to stimulate the diaphragm and cure your hiccups.

This is another good breathing exercise to practice as it promotes good mental health, stress relief and lowers blood pressure.

By nature the hiccups are occurring because your diaphragm is working against your body instead of with it. This exercise is designed to get the two working together in order to cure your hiccups.

How to Stimulate Your Diaphragm to Cure the Hiccups

1. First take several slow deep breaths. While you are doing this focus on the feeling you have in your abdomen.
2. As you take in a slow deep breath feel you chest and lungs expand as allow your stomach muscles to relax.
3. While doing this you should feel the muscle wall between your chest and abdomen drop down.
4. Breath out, and as you do focus on the feeling of your chest contacting. As you do this, tighten and pull up your stomach muscles. This will raise your stomach wall.
5. The best way to visualize this is by imagining that will you are breathing you need to make space for the air in your chest. When you breathe out visualize how this space contracts within your body.

This is the basic method used for controlled breathing by singers, martial artists and yoga practitioners as well as many other sports and hobbies that utilize controlling your breath.

Practice this exercise for several minutes and you should notice that your hiccups have been cured. If your hiccups have not gone away by this point be patient and try another exercise on the site to help cure your hiccups.