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Shallow Breathing

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 101

Talking about these breathing techniques is something I never would have thought of. I just finished reading session 7 last night. The box breathing reminded me of the breathing techniques I learned for childbirth. Some of the breathing techniques were hilarious and I couldn't do them with out laughing my head off. The one that worked was most like the box breathing. While in labor I would look at the floor and let my eyes travel up the wall to the ceiling. I would inhale threw my nose while my eyes traveled up the wall and then exhale through my mouth while my eyes traveled down the wall. It kept my breathing normal and worked great!

Birdie

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 150

Hi All, and thanks for your replies.

I started practicing deep breathing last night. It's not the out to 7 techniques, it's more just trying to use my diagphram.

Breathing in and out to the count of 7 is a frightening prospect in its own!

I'm just glad that we have all discovered the fact that we breathe shallowly. It is in knowing that it can be changed. So many anxious people don't even realise that they are breathing wrong.

It will take practice, but I'm sure I'll get there.

It's just been a stressful time lately in general. My brother, who lives in Spain, is having fainting episodes. He's been for various tests and they all come back clear. They believe it could be just a growth spurt, and that his body isn't handling how fast he's grown (which he has grown awfully fast, awfully soon)

I'm also having relationship problems, due to an old friend (and ex-girlfriend) coming back in to my life to be friends. My partner can't handle it and it's causing more arguments than it's worth. She constantly checks up on me to make sure I'm not talking to her. (Hi Honey, if you're reading this!)

I've got the dentist in a few hours.

I've just been put on sick pay, about a quarter of the money I'm used to.

Ugh - it's just all getting to me. I had to rant.

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 778

breathe out for seven omg , i did try that but that made me more anxious .

Miki oh i so glad you said about your voice . I had the same for months . Well i dont know if it was the same but for me my voice didnt sound like mine AT ALL . I hated it , it was the most weird thing ever . The last two weeks im back to me again thank goodness .

Hope you are ok DB .

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12049

Darkblue, Lots of great advice and support. Here is another breathing technique that might help. DEEP BREATHING:

1) Take a slow deep breath in through your nose to the slow count of five. Push your tummy out at the same time.

2) Slowly breathe out through your mouth to the count of 7.

3) Repeat this 3 times, as you feel yourself relaxing and the stress dropping away.

TENSION RELEASING:

1) Let go of the tension in your neck and shoulders.

2) Let go of the tension in your jaw.

3) Focus completely on your breathing, nothing else.

4) As you exhale, let your shoulders drop and let your body sink into wherever you are.

5)Repeat this until you feel relaxed and centered.

It's a skill. You have to practice several times a day to make it a normal part of your routine. Josie, Health Educator

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 477

Oh I totally understand about the breathing. I'm afraid of trying breathing exercises because they get me uncomfortable. Sometimes it scares me when my voice starts to crack because that is when I think that I don't have enough air in me to let me speak clearly. Does this happened to you too?

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2101

Hello Darkblue,

I just wanted to echo Cornish-Dee in saying I know exactly what you are talking about. In times of high anxiety I get like that too. It just feels like I can't breath in enough, almost like I forgot how to breathe. It freaks me out! Good news is, it goes away. I no longer have that, unless I am having an attack and even then I find I get it under control fairly quickly and easily generally. So it does get better!

As for breathing exercises this program offers a relly great breathing exercise. That is the one I use mostly. I also mix it with another technique (for which I can't seem to remember the name atm) where you inahle seeing yourself inhale pure air and feelings of gratitude through your heart and then you exhale the used air by seeing yourself exhale the used air and bad feeling through your stomach. As I do that I tell myself positive things about myself and my life. Anyway, so those are the two exercises I do.

Anyway, hang in there, this too shall pass!

-Diva

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 778

Hello DarkBlue . Sorry to hear you are feeling bad .

I have been shallow breathing since January , i never seemed to get a full breath in with kinder freaked me out in the beginning for a few months but eventually got used to it believe it or not . I could never seem to get a good breath in because it felt as if there was no room ooo that is freaky .

Over the last week , my breathing had been getting better , last couple of days not so good . But am currently sat here breathing in with my nose and counting to four then out with my mouth counting to five .

Does seem to help after a fair while .

16 years ago 0 +0 / -0 150

Hi All,

I've had problems with shallow breathing in the past, and it seems it's taking a return. I'm aware of my breathing more than I should be, and I'm taking deep breaths all the time. I think I must be trying to compensate for the shallow breathing.

What is your 'breathing exercise'?

I know it can be regulated, as I have done in the past, but when I try deep breathing, I feel light headed and faint.

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