B is for Breathing: Building Skills

I watched a 2.5year old boy listen carefully as his mom counted to ten slowly. He nodded his head as she counted and worked on taking big breaths. Not only was it adorable, it was also very effective! We do it because it works. Quite often people suggest breathing exercises in moments of stress. 

When we go for bloodwork they ask you to take a deep breath just as they are about to insert the needle. There are very practical reasons for that but it also serves as a distraction that has a calming effect as well.

Breathing is a sign of life. It is a part of every experience we go through. It symbolizes our existence.

Breathing exercises are part of preparing for childbirth where controlling your breath impacts the overall birthing experience. And everyone waits expectantly for the newborn to take its first breath to verify all is well!

We take a deep breath and slow exhale as we are about to do something new or challenging as a gesture to represent that we are gathering our strength and courage to take on something big and succeed.

When we want to dive deep, both symbolically and literally, we take a deep breath. The more we practice this action, the greater our capacity to do it even better on subsequent occasions enabling us to dive deeper and/or longer.

To climb Mt. Everest, special techniques are employed to help us breath at the summit. So whether we dive deep or rise to the top, our breathing matters.

Sadly, pollution, contaminants and some illnesses and diseases limit our capacity to breath well. We need to beware of these problems that can creep in and rob us of what we need to live well.

I encourage you all to take a deep breath before you answer harshly and pause before you let your angry words slip through your lips.   

Take a deep breath and try again, persevere, when you are facing challenging circumstances. Press on!

Take a deep breath and enjoy the fact you are alive and breathing! Appreciate every moment given to you for life and live it to the fullest!

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