imKarenM's Journal

I learned Diaphragmatic Breathing when I went to Physical Therapy LAST year.  I was supposed to do it for a few minutes between each transition in my day, especially when I got home from work.  Well, I forgot all about it when I gave up trying to do the "Snow Angels" brecause it was just too painful.  We didn't realize then, how much my shoulder was interfering with my ability to do just about EVERYTHING; There was just to much to accomplish in the time we had, so we moved on to other things.

The Diaphragmatic Breathing was supposed to deliver more oxygen to my muscles, reducing some pain and fatigue.  I could do IT better then the  dreaded "Snow Angels" but my nose was always so stuffy that I doubted how much oxygen they were getting.  I didn't pay attention to the relaxed, calm feelings that resulted from the breathing because that wasn't the goal at the time.

It IS a goal now, however, and I'm really glad I remembered those calm, relaxed feelings.  Diaphragmatic Breathing can be done anywhere, at any time, really. Just a couple of minutes can be enough to break up the cycle of anxiety, worry and fear, IF you have the discipline to do it.  The video I found (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDOh1VCXaQk) explains it pretty good.  

I bet I would feel GREAT if I could do this for the 15 minutes everyday that the he suggests.  I'm not making that my subgoal, though.  I'm going to listen to my Physical Therapist and try to do a couple minutes worth between transitions and I'm going to try to remember to do a couple minutes worth when I start to feel stressed of anxious.