Breathe, Dammit!!
January 22nd 2007 17:35
I know, I know. We all breathe. And we really don't have to think about it. It's a part of our autonomic nervous system, so it's keyed in to our default operations.
The fight or flight arousal system is also keyed into our default operating system, as a way to effectively manage crises and other stresses of life. And the fight or flight mechanism is directly related to the way we breathe.
If you have the opportunity, observe the way an infant breathes. This infant shall become your role model, your breathing coach if you will. Slow, rythmic, and deep breaths. Until a crisis of the bowels or hunger occur. Then the alarm system kicks in. Breathing becomes quick, shallow, and is typically accompanied by shrieks, movements, and other individual nuances.
Again, all a part of the default design.
Now, what about adults? All mature, and cognitive, and able to mentally abstract. With all that that entails. We breathe, yes?
If you take the time to observe any number of adults breathing, what you will discover is that they are doing so as if they were in crisis. Relatively shallow and quick breaths. The kind of breath that is well suited for crisis, yet not suited for long term oxygenating of the blood, balance, and a relaxed and mindful state of being.
Somehow, it seems, adults have become enculturated into a world and mindset of alarm, fear, anger, and crisis. It may be related to making mountains out of molehills, and is definitely connected to the marvelous cognitive capacity to abstract out of concrete thinking.
We no longer fear the saber-toothed tiger, perilously perched to bring danger into our lives. Some would say that war and terrorism may be apt counterparts, and they may be accurate. Yet, even without these, we breathe as if in crisis because we sustain percieved danger in our minds much longer than any danger truly exists. Again, mountains out of molehills.
This is taxing on a mind-body system designed to manage crises in a quick and efficient manner. The long-term pulsing of stress toxins and chemicals through our bodies becomes an erosion, rendering us weaker in the face of danger, percieved or real.
And the breathing remains shallow.
Pay attention to your breathing. It may be the easiest way to determine if you are involved in sustaining stress alarm beyond what is an appropriate amount of time to sustain such.
And How Are You Breathing Today?
deorre
The fight or flight arousal system is also keyed into our default operating system, as a way to effectively manage crises and other stresses of life. And the fight or flight mechanism is directly related to the way we breathe.
If you have the opportunity, observe the way an infant breathes. This infant shall become your role model, your breathing coach if you will. Slow, rythmic, and deep breaths. Until a crisis of the bowels or hunger occur. Then the alarm system kicks in. Breathing becomes quick, shallow, and is typically accompanied by shrieks, movements, and other individual nuances.
Again, all a part of the default design.
Now, what about adults? All mature, and cognitive, and able to mentally abstract. With all that that entails. We breathe, yes?
If you take the time to observe any number of adults breathing, what you will discover is that they are doing so as if they were in crisis. Relatively shallow and quick breaths. The kind of breath that is well suited for crisis, yet not suited for long term oxygenating of the blood, balance, and a relaxed and mindful state of being.
Somehow, it seems, adults have become enculturated into a world and mindset of alarm, fear, anger, and crisis. It may be related to making mountains out of molehills, and is definitely connected to the marvelous cognitive capacity to abstract out of concrete thinking.
We no longer fear the saber-toothed tiger, perilously perched to bring danger into our lives. Some would say that war and terrorism may be apt counterparts, and they may be accurate. Yet, even without these, we breathe as if in crisis because we sustain percieved danger in our minds much longer than any danger truly exists. Again, mountains out of molehills.
This is taxing on a mind-body system designed to manage crises in a quick and efficient manner. The long-term pulsing of stress toxins and chemicals through our bodies becomes an erosion, rendering us weaker in the face of danger, percieved or real.
And the breathing remains shallow.
Pay attention to your breathing. It may be the easiest way to determine if you are involved in sustaining stress alarm beyond what is an appropriate amount of time to sustain such.
And How Are You Breathing Today?
deorre
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Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
This is a great post and as a counsellor of the spiritual kind, I'm forever telling my clients the same thing... breathe.
Your words are so true and this post is so good, I hope everyone reads it and takes note. Slow it down, breathe deeper and do it when you least feel you can - right in your bosses face. There, One big breathe - take the time to do it, you'll feel like.... well, wonderful!
Do you think Caffine decreases one's ability to breathe properly, Deorre?
Again, a great post,
Lilla
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Boy I'm glad I don't drink coffee!
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Loaded up on Deep Heat and pain killers it still was quite painful to walk, hence the shallower breathing while walking. Now I dare anyone to replicate the circumstances and breathe more deeply.
It should also be noted that due to the pain, I reached a point where I thought I was going to vomit and pass out all at the same time - a great look for my 6th day on the job.
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Comment by Manda
Medicinal Nature
Thank you for this very informative post, I really enjoyed it. Keep up the great work!