Stress Center Peer Support

I have been making great progress over the last year and a half. Sometimes I feel like I am totally recovered- but some recent stress over having some work done in our house- has set me back a bit. My biggest physical symptom i fight is my breathing. Even when I don't think I feel anxiety I can feel this physical symptom (like if I'm sitting in a certain position).

Back to the present moment- does anyone have any tricks to help when they are having trouble with shortness of breath. If I do deep breathing exercises sometimes it worsens everything because I am focused on my breathing. it has helped in the past for me to breath shallow breaths though my mouth (that way i don't feel like I'm not getting enough air through my nose.) But today I just feel like no matter what I do, I just can't get my breath. It is tiring and discouraging.

It is so discouraging when I thought I had come so much farther than this

Thanks

Healing does not mean that you will never experience anxiety again. You have the tools and you know where to turn for support, encouragement and answers. Healing means you know what to do and you are no longer afraid of the symptoms. Please be patient with yourself.

I remember going through a hard time breathing sometimes and there are three things that I know of that can help.

#1 Blow out all your breath. I believe you are still holding air in your lungs. Don't breathe in yet. Just gently blow out and when you think you are done, blow out some more. It will feel like a bit of a strain but it's safe.
Now begin to slowly breathe in. It doesn't have to be deep. Just a nice breath. Hold to the count of 4 and then slowly breathe out.

#2 Lie down by a wall on your back. Get on your side and put your rump up against a wall. Swing yourself around so that your rump is up against the wall and your legs and feet are straight up the wall. Begin to simply breathe normally in and out as best you can. A deeper breath will follow. Stay there for awhile - 15 minutes or so.

Then practice with the relaxation tape daily. The breath work is on that tape. Allow relaxed breath to be second nature to you. It will with the daily practice.

Boon,

Thank you, I will try your suggestions. Thank you for saying 'please be patient w/ yourself'. It actually helps. I am too hard on myself. "Why aren't I over this yet?" "Why can't I just stop breathing like this?"

You're right, when I breathe out more than normal, it feels like a strain- like I might not be able to breathe again, but I can

I also know that in the past, if I keep myself busy and not think about it so much it helps. But it hasn't helped as much today. My immune system has been really down since I had alot of stress last week and developed a bunch of cold sores on the roof of my mouth. They have been painful and I feel drained alot. I think this has really added to my anxiety.

Thankfully, i know it won't last forever

Is it true that if you practice this type of breathing that it will become second nature?

Oh, yes. If you practice the calm breath it will come to your rescue automatically. I can even experience anxiety and my breath will be deep and slow. It's amazing.

You might check into CQ10 for the mouth sores. Your local health food store can confirm that, of course, but I've heard it is very helpful for cold sores.

Take care of yourself the way you would take care of someone else who was stressed and needed attention. You're worth it!

HI CJR,

I have Cystic Fibrosis and I can't think of a more powerful technique than EFT. It's kind of wacky but it works. You can google eft breathing or try this link for instructions. Let me know what you experience. <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmcQVchH5Lw" TARGET=_blank>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmcQVchH5Lw</A>

Thank you, I will take a look at the video

CJR

If you are able to at the time, I do word searches. This has helped me out so much. It gets my mind off of my breathing and then your body takes over. You are probably making yourself over breathe or under breathe which you will then feel the shortness of breathe. I also start cleaning the house full speed then I tell myself that I am out of breathe because I am in a hurry and then it slows down. I pray when I start feeling that way and it also calms my breathing to a normal speed. I hope this has helped.

Blessings~ Jennifier

i didnt read all of the posts because I am in a hurry I just wanted to comment on the breathing situation before I go..... I have had problems with my breathing also, it would last for days and I would feel like I was dying. Anyways my therapist told me that I have to train my lungs and my mind to breathe corectly again. She said to count how many times I can go with out trying to catch that "good, full" breath. . . Start with making your self do it for 1 minute and when u conquer that then try 2 minutes. You can do it. . !!!!!!!!!!!