Jackson Free Press

One of the items on my Road to Wellness list is to do deep breathing exercises. I must admit that I had forgotten all about this, but I remembered it after having a pretty rough week, especially when I accidentally turned off my computer while modifying an 84-page PDF file. The power strip was next to my foot, and I accidentally shut it off with my toe. After restoring power and kicking the power strip in anger, I decided that I must take steps to release tension.

I learned how to do deep breathing when I first encountered problems with anxiety 12 years ago, and I will share the technique with you. First, place one hand on your chest and the other hand on your abdomen. Slowly inhale and count to five. Hold your breath for a second, and then exhale while counting to five. Do this for up to 15 minutes, making sure that your abdomen is expanding and contracting, not your chest. The best position to do this is while lying down, but you can do this sitting down as well. The first time I did this exercise, I fell asleep for two hours, so it definitely works.

I was looking at some tai-chi videos online since I am thinking about learning how to perform the martial art, and I saw that there is some deep breathing involved. Maybe tai-chi could be a new hobby I could take up in order to keep my nerves under control.

Previous Comments

ID

158704

Comment

Great technique. I directed the Anxiet Management Program for many years at a MS hospital. This technique was excellent for panic attacts. Once you are able to breath diaphramatically, the body can not stay in panic mode. This coupled with visualization is excellent! Thanks for sharing this information. You will be suprised at the number of people who are sufferers of anxiety disorders and will find some relief in these simple, costless techniques.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-07-19T08:35:26-06:00

ID

158748

Comment

Latasha! What a motivator to figure out a way to cope. Sheesh. I hope you go ahead with the breathing exercises. It'll help...I think. I know I have to remind myself to breathe sometimes. Margie

Author

MsMargie

Date

2010-07-20T14:39:41-06:00

ID

158767

Comment

Thanks, justjess and MsMargie. When I started having issues with anxiety, I fainted frequently, and I really think it may have been because I was holding my breath and didn't know it. Now, whenever I feel a little lightheaded, I take a deep breath after realizing that I haven't inhaled. I think stress makes me do this sometimes.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2010-07-21T08:12:19-06:00