“Studies show that people who are anxious tend to have an irregular pattern of breathing, alternating from hyperventilation to holding their breath. This pattern of breathing contributes to further symptoms (e.g., lightheadedness, dizziness and possibly fainting) and increases the feelings of anxiety. Breathing retraining techniques can help these people cope or manage anxiety symptoms.”(Center for Addiction and Mental Health, 2009)
Members, try reading through the relaxation section of the program. Also, try to be conscious of your breathing. Breathe with your abdomen and not your chest. Naturally children will be “tummy” breathers but as they age and become more stressed they learn to breathe with their chests. The results are shallow breathing. It is much more relaxing to breathe deeply with your abdomen. To find out if you are a chest or “tummy” breather place one hand over your chest and one over your stomach. Breathe normally. If you see your chest rise and not your stomach you are a chest breather and you should work on breathing with your abdomen.
To breath with you abdomen when you breathe in you should feel your abdomen slowly move outwards. Work on this. You will find that after only a few breaths you will start to feel more relaxed.
Members, did this work for you? Are you a chest or “tummy” breather?
Ashley, Health Educator
Center for Addiction and Mental Health (2005)What Causes Anxiety Disorders? Retrieved on May 28, 2009, from, http://www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Information/Anxiety_Disorders/causes_anxiety.html
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