Breathing
Posted 7th December 2007 by Mandy Nelson - Dandysound, tagged breathing, deep breathes, anxiety, help child cope
Remember a while back when Nataly shared with us that her doc told her to breathe? Take belly breaths is what he told her. Well as someone who practices and teaches yoga I'm all about breathing. When I read her note though, I realized I wasn't doing it as often as I should so I made a conscious effort to start doing it several times a day. I just stop what I'm doing, breathe in through my nose and fill my belly with the air first before I let my lungs fill up. As I exhale I remind myself to relax my shoulders.
It's become a habit now. A wonderful, glorious habit I don't have to think about. I went from feeling anxious, stressed and overwhelmed to feeling centered and more in control. Don't get me wrong, things are still crazy and I can't always get it all done but at least I'm learning to accept that.
And here's the best part: it's benefitting those around me. Not only am I a happier wife (hubby was getting worried about the anxiety and stress), a sillier mommy and a more relaxed friend, my oldest is using this technique and she's only 3! I've always encouraged her to take deep breathes when she's upset. Well last night she had a complete meltdown which is rare for her. She was very overtired and couldn't stop her crying. She threw her hands up and said, "Oh, Mummy, I'm forgetting my big breathes." Then she put her hands on her head and took several looooong deep breathes, looked up, smiled and said she felt better. Then she attacked me with the biggest hug and said she loved me. Just what I was thinking!
Not only did my heart melt but this really got me thinking: if we give our children the tools to combat stress and anxiety at such a young age will they be able to better help themselves when they are our age? Will handling the juggling act be easier?
I wanted to share this both so I wouldn't forget it any time soon and to encourage all of you moms to breathe with your children. Next time they are upset and you find yourself getting upset too, remind everyone to stop for a moment and breathe deeply. It gives you a whole new perspective!
8 comments so far...
Great reminder. It's been eons since I've been to yoga. Making myself a mental note to start back at classes THIS week!
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Naomi on 10th December 2007
our kid has been doing deep breaths with her dad and i for a while now and it is truly amazing to see that little a person find their way through what i imagine can often be an overwhelming flood of emotion. thank you for the reminder...
it sometimes helps me to remember that I can barely handle my own emotions sometimes and I have had quite a few years to develop filters and strategies, so it is sometimes unreasonable to expect her to have the same coping skills unless i help her through it.
To be honest, I am sometimes envious of her ability to be able to feel so intensely. There are moments when i want to be unreservedly happy or angry or sad in that way that you can probably only embody at that age...
Flag as inappropriate Posted by dancinmama on 10th December 2007
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Nataly on 7th December 2007
My husband helps his kids use breathing to calm themselves, but he's not so good about it himself, so we should both work on it. Thanks for the great reminder, Mandy!
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Florinda Pendley Vasquez on 7th December 2007
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Lylah M. Alphonse on 7th December 2007
Flag as inappropriate Posted by KathyHowe on 7th December 2007
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kate on 7th December 2007
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Victoria on 7th December 2007