I used to think of my ability to disassociate with my body as a strength. But then I realized, the times I had learned to do it and perfected it were all peak, traumatic stress moments (college athlete training, birth, etc). I’ve started trying to tap into my body more when stressed vs running away from it. Your article really resonates with me, I’ve been trying to do breath work before bed at night and it’s helped a ton!
I hope you keep feeling better! Thank you for this. ♥️
PHEW. So true and so powerful. I used to think that too, especially as an actor, I prided myself on being able to make my body do whatever I needed-- including checking out. It took me a long time to undo all that, and obviously, I still have issues with it that come up.
Such a great hack for living. Nothing helps me reset and get grounded like deep breaths in and out. When I make a sigh or little long “aaaaa” sound on the exhale - oh boy that’s the sweet spot.
This is really helpful. A couple of years ago I suddenly started breaking out in hives and after ruling out all other possibilities it became apparent that stress was the root cause - caregiver stress, mid-life stress, pandemic stress. Working on breathing (alternate nostril, counting, meditation) cured my hives. But I'd never made the connections between breathing and migraines - that's really interesting. I mean, I always assumed stress was a component of my migraines, but the idea of breathing being part of my migraine prevention toolbox is very cool. Thank you. Hoping you stay migraine-free.
This is so timely and a great reminder - it's easy to think we aren't affected at all by the stressful and terrible events of the day. I actually read this great book last week called Headache Relief by Seymour Diamond (so much info specifically for women and has different breathing exercises) for free on www.openlibrary.org ❤
When I worked as an accountant I often felt my lips start to tingle. I realized that I was not breathing correctly. We tend to forget that breathing is not one of the involuntary actions our body does for us!
I am also an Empath. I do much better in people-helping jobs. I take Yoga and that practice reminds me to breathe properly much of the time. It’s amazing how a few true deep calming breaths can improve your mind set. Other tricks - get up and walk around once in a while. Pinch your earlobes! That actually releases calming enzymes (or hormones or something calming). Take a break to pat your pet. (Even a stuffed animal is helpful). We are sensory beings. Calming sounds, scents, atmosphere.... They all matter.
Some other things that have helped me are finding books that speak to me. Judith Orloff has several books that have been such a source of peace for me. Books of Judith’s that I highly recommend are “How to Survive as an Empath”, “”Thriving as an Empath”, and “Second Sight”.
I also highly recommend to everyone “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World”. It doesn’t promise rainbows and butterflies every day; It’s realistic and so heartwarming.
I love this so much. Thank you for sharing. I recently had a fairly major health shift for the positive regarding something I was told was unmovable, with the only variable being 7 months of a truly devoted morning meditation practice. I’m still in awe of how much it has helped me in almost every area of my life. The breath!! It’s incredible!
Having been a test case for Canada Migraine for years, and having suffered cyclonic migraines as well ( either getting a migraine, having a migraine or getting over a migraine ) I think I have tried every trick in the book from doing breath-work to biofeedback, I never found anything that would work, so I used a lot of various pain relievers over the years just to keep working and supporting my family.
So sorry, Arthur. I know people who have chronic migraines not due to stress really struggle with this-- I have a friend who has had them for years and has also worked for years to try and figure out the "why." Sending love and hope for healing and relief in any way you can find it. ♥️
I discovered a self-mantra for a word from reading your post that incorporates my name. eM^Me--with BODY in the middle..."em-body-me". I mean WHAT? Totally a note-to-self post-it. I'll be consciously breathing in my square-foot chunk of this untamed world and sending you waves of oxygen and presence.
Great piece!!! We're living in a state of overwhelm these days, and our trauma responses kick in because we unconsciously sense danger. It's so helpful to learn to recognize our particular pattern of trauma response (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn), and learn ways to counteract those responses. Somatic ( embodiment) coaching has been SO helpful to me! Especially the work of the Focalizing Institute, based on the work of Michael Picucci. Keep breathing, everbody!
I am always a stronger and more available version of myself when I get out of my head and into my body. I am forever grateful to Mary Oliver (and the yoga teacher who introduced me to her) for giving me that permission.
I keep getting your prompts at perfect times. I am sitting in my car, waiting to get my son.
I just breathed with you.
I need to do more of this as well. It's been a rough week with lots of tough conversations. More deep breaths coming for me.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder!
I used to think of my ability to disassociate with my body as a strength. But then I realized, the times I had learned to do it and perfected it were all peak, traumatic stress moments (college athlete training, birth, etc). I’ve started trying to tap into my body more when stressed vs running away from it. Your article really resonates with me, I’ve been trying to do breath work before bed at night and it’s helped a ton!
I hope you keep feeling better! Thank you for this. ♥️
PHEW. So true and so powerful. I used to think that too, especially as an actor, I prided myself on being able to make my body do whatever I needed-- including checking out. It took me a long time to undo all that, and obviously, I still have issues with it that come up.
Oh wow, I need a minute...this is amazing...😊💕
That post was so interesting. I think I also am not breathing. Thanks for illuminating.
Such a great hack for living. Nothing helps me reset and get grounded like deep breaths in and out. When I make a sigh or little long “aaaaa” sound on the exhale - oh boy that’s the sweet spot.
I hope things continue to feel better!
This is really helpful. A couple of years ago I suddenly started breaking out in hives and after ruling out all other possibilities it became apparent that stress was the root cause - caregiver stress, mid-life stress, pandemic stress. Working on breathing (alternate nostril, counting, meditation) cured my hives. But I'd never made the connections between breathing and migraines - that's really interesting. I mean, I always assumed stress was a component of my migraines, but the idea of breathing being part of my migraine prevention toolbox is very cool. Thank you. Hoping you stay migraine-free.
Hope you are also feeling better, Tara!
This is so timely and a great reminder - it's easy to think we aren't affected at all by the stressful and terrible events of the day. I actually read this great book last week called Headache Relief by Seymour Diamond (so much info specifically for women and has different breathing exercises) for free on www.openlibrary.org ❤
Oh this is a wonderful resource, thank you for sharing! ♥️
When I worked as an accountant I often felt my lips start to tingle. I realized that I was not breathing correctly. We tend to forget that breathing is not one of the involuntary actions our body does for us!
I am also an Empath. I do much better in people-helping jobs. I take Yoga and that practice reminds me to breathe properly much of the time. It’s amazing how a few true deep calming breaths can improve your mind set. Other tricks - get up and walk around once in a while. Pinch your earlobes! That actually releases calming enzymes (or hormones or something calming). Take a break to pat your pet. (Even a stuffed animal is helpful). We are sensory beings. Calming sounds, scents, atmosphere.... They all matter.
I feel this so much, Linda.
Some other things that have helped me are finding books that speak to me. Judith Orloff has several books that have been such a source of peace for me. Books of Judith’s that I highly recommend are “How to Survive as an Empath”, “”Thriving as an Empath”, and “Second Sight”.
I also highly recommend to everyone “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World”. It doesn’t promise rainbows and butterflies every day; It’s realistic and so heartwarming.
Sorry if I went off topic here!!
I love this so much. Thank you for sharing. I recently had a fairly major health shift for the positive regarding something I was told was unmovable, with the only variable being 7 months of a truly devoted morning meditation practice. I’m still in awe of how much it has helped me in almost every area of my life. The breath!! It’s incredible!
Having been a test case for Canada Migraine for years, and having suffered cyclonic migraines as well ( either getting a migraine, having a migraine or getting over a migraine ) I think I have tried every trick in the book from doing breath-work to biofeedback, I never found anything that would work, so I used a lot of various pain relievers over the years just to keep working and supporting my family.
So sorry, Arthur. I know people who have chronic migraines not due to stress really struggle with this-- I have a friend who has had them for years and has also worked for years to try and figure out the "why." Sending love and hope for healing and relief in any way you can find it. ♥️
I discovered a self-mantra for a word from reading your post that incorporates my name. eM^Me--with BODY in the middle..."em-body-me". I mean WHAT? Totally a note-to-self post-it. I'll be consciously breathing in my square-foot chunk of this untamed world and sending you waves of oxygen and presence.
Excuse me this is INCREDIBLE. May we all find such a brilliant mantra for ourselves!!
🥳
Excellent and timely reminder, thanks for sharing, Amber!
Great piece!!! We're living in a state of overwhelm these days, and our trauma responses kick in because we unconsciously sense danger. It's so helpful to learn to recognize our particular pattern of trauma response (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn), and learn ways to counteract those responses. Somatic ( embodiment) coaching has been SO helpful to me! Especially the work of the Focalizing Institute, based on the work of Michael Picucci. Keep breathing, everbody!
I am always a stronger and more available version of myself when I get out of my head and into my body. I am forever grateful to Mary Oliver (and the yoga teacher who introduced me to her) for giving me that permission.
Sometimes we forget what we know for all kinds of reasons.
Thank you for the breathing reminders. 🤗 and 😘
Fortunately it does get better as you age. Only thing now is barometer pressure and stress!