Time to Breathe

Sometimes I get to that point, and I realize it is time to breathe. A bodily function that we do not ever really think about has recently taken on so much popularity. You might think, why do I need to think about this at all? We all have enough on our minds, enough pressure from the work/life balance, enough logging of everything we put in our mouths, enough steps on our Fitbit, and honestly, now we have to think about breathing? It is preposterous! Well, let me just say, it is not. In fact, we have spent so much time not thinking about it that we are in a constant state of shallow breathing. By redirecting our focus a tad to some deep, intentional breathing, we just might be able to lower that stress level, make a more conscious decision about what we are placing in our mouths, and help give us a new perspective when we need it.

Many of you may have noticed a feature on your IWatch or your Fitbit that alerts you to take 1 minute out to focus on breathing. We all have heard about breathing in a paper bag if you are hyperventilating. And unfortunately, we all know, that when we cannot breathe anymore, we have 2 options: expire or have a machine breathe for us. Unfortunately, I have had a little experience with this, albeit vicariously. And let me just say, being intubated sucks! You do not ever want to have to experience it and be alert for it. You do not ever want a tracheotomy. You do not ever want to have to wean yourself off a ventilator. These are things you do not ever want to experience or have a loved one experience. However, sometimes they are necessary evils if you are fighting for your life. The scary part of it all is, the longer you are vented, the harder it is to wean. I think I have driven this point home: you do not want it. Period. You want to be in control of your breathing if at all possible!

Let us take a second to picture someone we all know who struggles or struggled with breathing. It is exhausting and it is terrifying. For me, I think of 2 people: Morgan Yoney* and my daughter Meg. To me, breathing has consumed Morgan’s life as well as her family’s. Just ponder that for a moment. An entire life consumed with thoughts of breathing and oxygen levels. It is the very essence of human existence. We take it so much for granted, yet in her case, it is literally a constant worry and must always be monitored. She and her family have taken a lot of completely unwarranted criticism lately over the fact that some folks think she should confine herself to her home indefinitely apparently. Delve a little deeper, and isn’t that what society is being asked to do over these last 8 months? Stay at home. If you must go out, wear a mask. It has literally slapped breathing to the front and center of our minds. We are constantly thinking about it: where’s my mask, it’s too hot, I can’t breathe, my glasses are fogging up, my ears hurt from the elastic, this mask smells, the list goes on. Now, imagine this was your life every single day. Not so much fun is it? We THINK, there will be an end to all this business. I am not so sure it will be soon. So, while we are stuck here, let’s learn to breathe.

Some of you may know I have been working on my 200-Hour Yoga Training and plan to finish by the end of this year. The core of all of it is breathing. For those not familiar, I always start and end my classes with breathing. We are learning to focus on the breath to calm the mind. We know that when we are under physical exertion, we are breathing faster, deeper, sometimes gasping for air. Our physical body needs the oxygen, and we recognize it immediately. What happens when we are under mental exertion? Some of us may try to sleep it off. Some of us try to eat through it (oops there is a future blog post lol). Some of us may use chemicals in all types of forms to numb our minds. I suggest we try breathing when we can. Does it not make complete sense that it is necessary for the mind as well as the body?  Deep, intentional breathing where our inhale matches our exhale. See if it is possible to focus on the inhale and exhale fully. You could do this lying down. You could do this in a chair. You could take 5 minutes for yourself. Notice how your belly and chest expand and deflate. It is your whole life right there in that inhale and exhale. Just tapping into your breath could help you calm down at work and maybe avoid snapping at your co-worker. Take those deep breaths when you want to reach for those cookies when you know you have had enough. Begin to recognize the healing power that is in your own breath. And above all, do not take your breath for granted. Think of those who fight for that breath every day. Now…..breathe.

*Approved by Morgan Yoney 10/27/2020 via file share