Stress Center Peer Support

I have just started the program. I have high hopes, even though I have been in several other programs and this one seems to be very similar. But I plan to follow it to the letter, so we shall see!

During the relaxation tapes, I am having difficulty breathing properly (I think). I always feel as if I'm not getting a deep enough breath, and I find myself yawning a lot. Has anyone else had this difficulty?

This inability to take a deep breath is a characteristic of anxiety. The chest muscles are tense and not expanding as easily. With practice, like doing the relaxation tape, you will begin to be able to relax and take a deeper breath.

Keep practicing!
Tammy

Thanks, Tammy! I'm practicing several times a day!

Same with the deep breath. I really struggle with this. Especially during stressful periods. I yawn to try to get that deep breath! Amazing how many people have same symptoms. I have to practice my relax. tape also

This is an older post, but I wanted to push it back to the top. I am having these issues. Every now & then, especially when I'm thinking about my breathing, I find myself trying to take a deep breath, & can't. Then, I find myself trying to yawn to get that full deep breath. Does anyone else deal with this now?

I feel the same way, but instead of yawning, I burp. Sometimes it helps, but during a panic attack, I can't even do that. For example, I get very anxious and panicky on subway trains, especially on rush hour. My throat closes almost completely, and I can't breathe. I try to burp but my heart is racing so hard, I can't even move. But as soon as I get off the subway, I can burp and I feel my throat opening up, and I can breathe better. Afterwards, I feel extremely exhausted, since my body went through so much stress.

What scared me the most when I started having panic attacks is that I didn't know what they were. All I knew was that for some reason my asthma medications weren't making me any better