So breathing is the one thing that we’re not taught to do, it just happens.  Like losing a sock in the washing machine, or consuming a whole pack of Jaffa cakes even though you only meant to have one.  Breathing is always there, it’s the one thing that we do constantly without giving it a second thought, until we struggle to do it.

Long story short, back in 2011, amid my dissertation, when life was already stressful enough with Uni, a full time job plus a 3yr old and 1 yr old in tow, I thought I was dying, like literally.  Sitting on the sofa all calm then bam, shooting pains down the arm, couldn’t catch my breath, dropped to the floor, full on text book heart attack!  Ambulance called, quick ECG and thankfully all was good but I subsequently got diagnosed with Costochondritis, a condition that results in inflamed ribs and trachea, which in turn causes chest pain, shortness of breath, and as it turned out, heart attack style symtoms.

Fast forward almost 7 years it’s still very much part of my daily life, flaring up at no particular time, for no particular reason, and I’m constantly aware of it.  Not being able to take a deep breath is tough, a feeling of anxiety, of not getting enough air in your lungs, mixed with the continuous nagging pain, it really isn’t nice at all.

After numerous examinations, X-Rays, blood tests, it seems like there’s very little that can be done for this illness.  Lots of remedies and tricks are proven to work, including heat so hot bubble baths and hot water bottles are in, but other than ibuprofen, there’s no medical fix.

However, one tip I have taken heed of is learning how to breath properly.  Sounds ridiculous right? I thought so too but research proves that there is indeed a correct way to breath, something I have been trying out of late.  I started with my Fitbit Relax programme, just 2 mins everyday of structured breathing to get use to the timing and learning to listen to your body rather than rushing to breath, but I’ve also joined a Hatha Yoga class, Monday of this week so have only been once, but what a difference!

Hatha Yoga concentrates on your breathing patterns.  Thoracic breathing, rhythmic breathing, all different ways of breathing, in different positions, which help your body and your mind to relax.  I was a bit cynical at first I’ll be honest but after just one, two-hour session (and an amazing night’s sleep!), and continuing those breathing methods since then, I really have felt a difference in my chest, which now feels somewhat lighter and more open.

Running is my general choice of exercise and I have been told to cut down on it a little, or at least to only jog, plus swimming has been recommended as a more relaxing way to get fit that shouldn’t aggravate my chest, but yoga is definitely my new thing!   Quiet room, dim lights, soft music all massively helps to relax my body and my brain and eases my chest… plus hopefully, before I’m 40, with all the stretching, I’ll be able to touch my toes!

Rhian
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Written by Editor, Rhian Cable

Mum, Wife, Marketing Specialist and Blogger – Living life every minute.

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