i think... i think it does make a difference... later. if you can stick with it. I was introduced to meditation and mindfulness/breathing like you were taught back in... i want to say 2003? And just this month I have been able to stick with a "soft belly" breathing excercise to relieve stress. you just sit comfortable, and as you inhale, you think "sooooooft" and on the exhale you think "bellllly" and do it for as long as you can/need. it actually relaxes much of the body and it good to use in stress situations as well as practice alone. I now use it in group therapy when i start getting stressed.