The Silent Saboteur
The Silent Saboteur: How Your Breathing Habits Are Draining Your Energy & What You Can Do About It
“I know how to breathe, I’ve been doing it my whole life!” At least, that’s what I thought.
After all, I’ve worked in a hospital setting most of my career. I’ve helped individuals from the time they took their first breath while still attached to the umbilical cord to others taking their last – often after a long struggle that included ventilators and other assistive devices. I’ve been an athlete on the bike, in the water, and with my two feet on the trail. I’ve hiked tall peaks and swam in the ocean. Of course, I know how to breathe!
Or did I?
I’ve also spent the majority of my life with exercise-induced asthma symptoms that weren’t relieved with medication. A reactive airway that made me lose my voice with various chemical exposures. And allergies, oh the allergies! Of course, let’s not forget the insomnia and difficulties sleeping. A dry mouth when waking, and frequent trips to the dental hygienist to clean my teeth!
Over the past few years, I’ve learned a lot of breathing exercises designed to calm you down, or conversely, energize you. I’ve listened to a lot of podcasts, and “experts” in the area of breathwork.
But, a lot of it seemed too hard.
It took too much time.
Who has 40 minutes to lie still and breathe? I’m IN the health and wellness industry, and I certainly didn’t feel like I had the time.
I knew there had to be more, especially with my recent medical journey.
Something better, and more realistic.
Something practical that I could truly fit into my day.
It was in this search that I landed on functional breathing.
This simple, profound approach was so powerful in my own life, I decided to become an instructor in both the Oxygen Advantage and Buteyko methods.
What is functional breathing?
It’s breathing the way our body was designed to function.
Breathing in and out through our noses, using our diaphragm, and taking smaller, gentler breaths.
A concept we’ve lost over the past few generations with our faster paced society and more reliance on processed foods.
This simple act of breathing more easily with our noses can improve our energy levels, elevate our moods, heighten our focus, enhance our sleep, and even boost our immunity. It is by no means a cure-all, but it certainly is an incredible tool to begin to reclaim your vitality!
I'd like to introduce you to one simple exercise that can help you to calm down in those stressful moments of life, or at times when you feel your breathing is heading out of control.
For this, and any breathing exercise, please be sure you are in a safe environment before beginning, and NEVER practice while you are in the water!
In this exercise, start gently, and do not hold your breath for more than five seconds.
Sit up straight and take a normal breath in and out through your nose.
After exhaling, pinch your nose and hold the breath for up to five seconds. Count: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. (pinching your nose is helpful, but not required)
If you have a history of anxiety or asthma, or the count of 5 is too strong for you, try a count of 2 to start.
Let go, inhale through your nose and breathe normally through your nose for 2-3 breaths.
Repeat the sequence for as long as you feel a need for calm. This can be repeated as often as you like.
There is a lot of science behind WHY this works, but we're not going to get into that today. I'd encourage you to have a go, and see what you think. I would welcome any feedback you have.
If you don't understand the instructions, or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to help!
Functional breathing has been a huge boon to my own health and wellness, and I am confident that it can benefit you as well. This exercise is one tiny sample introduction into the world of improved breathing, energy, and vibrancy.
To learn more about functional breathing and how it can transform not just your energy, but your life, join me in my Breathe Better, Live Brighter Functional Breathing program. It’s a place where we can look at your specific concerns and breathing patterns, and we can tailor a program specifically for you.
