There’s been an air of uncertainty recently. And this can affect us both emotionally and physically.
It can give us a background list of thoughts and questions. Can I see my family or friends? Will I be stuck in the house? What about schools? Christmas? There’s shopping to do…
The physical side can change our breathing. We might breathe quicker and shallower, increasing the tension in our diaphragm muscle. Our back might get tight and stiff. Necks and shoulders might get the brunt of it.
You might even notice you’re not sleeping as well as you’d like. Or find yourself waking up feeling as tired as yesterday.
The questions themselves are unlikely to be answered straight away. But we can help minimise how they might be affecting us physically.
How does it feel when you breathe all the way out?
- Try breathing out further than you just did.
- Keep breathing out for another couple of seconds after you feel like you’ve run out of air.
- Can you keep your breath back in really slow?
- You might be ok breathing all the way out but find it impossible not to gasp air straight back in again?
To me, that’s a sign of a very tight diaphragm. A system on guard.
The great news is this test can become an exercise. If you found the test tricky, try a few breaths. All the way out and gradually try to slow the air as it comes back back in. You'll hopefully find you can breathe out a little further with time.
But this can take practice. Try just 2 or 3 breaths anytime you notice that list of questions building up. Or even try it while you’re reading or watching the news.
We’re in uncertain times and a feeling of stress or fatigue is understandable. But there’s always ways we can help guard our health from the effects.
A focus on our breathing to help unwind our diaphragm muscle is a great start.
But sometimes we need to look a bit closer to understand why your system is reluctant to get out of fight and flight. If you’re having bother with this breathing tip or you’re feeling aches and pains that aren’t settling, just let us know.
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