If you have found this little spot on my virtual couch, then I am sure you have read a little about me; but just in case you haven’t: I am Daniela Williams, a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. The Counselor’s Couch is a small piece of A Place of Solace's website. On this blog you will find tidbits meant for the sole purpose inspiring and informing.
If you are here at this time it is possible you are experiencing a level of distress. Let’s take a moment and breathe. Right where you are. That’s right, stop everything and breathe. Noticed how your shoulders may have went up towards your ears? Well, we don’t want that to happen at this time.
Let’s try this:
Place your right hand on your chest and left on your upper belly. Practice breathing where only the left hand on your upper belly is moving. This is what I like to call a Belly Breath, or abdominal breathing. If you aren’t catching on, no worries--keep practicing at your will. Take slow intentional breaths; try taking 3 deep Belly Breaths a day and working your way up to more for longer stretches of time. This is a good way to reset and recharge. Happy Breathing!
**If after practicing deep breathing you feel severe anxiety, consider reaching out to your primary care physician or a mental health professional for an assessment and recommendation for treatment. As with any type of exercise, before trying, speak with your healthcare provider if you have pain or difficulty breathing when performing Belly Breaths.