Breathing......

[Brum Lady]

Help, I seem to have forgotten how to breathe properly!! If I don't think about it, I am fine, but it seems to be on my mind all the time and I can't get it right at all. Has anyone else ever experienced this, and how do I get back to normal? I'm 54, reasonably healthy, don't smoke and don't drink much at all. I went to the doc's last year and they talked about stress, but it's been going on for ages now and I'm getting fed up with it. Any suggestions (serious) gratefully accepted.
Brum Lady

[SEXY67]

When you say that you cant breathe properly, In what way do you actually mean? Are you short of breath or do you feel as though every now and again you have to breathe in real deep until it feels right if you know what i mean by that?

[dot.hawkes]

Just try to relax and not think about it, i am sure your body has been breathing fine for some 54 years, it isn't going to forget how now, concentrate on something else instead and let your body fend for itsself, you at least owe it that.

[Le Chat]

The fact that it has been going on for ages and has not got worse and worse is a good sign, physically. What it does sound like is anxiety. Even if you don't actually feel anxious or stressed, it can still present itself in any number of ways.
Worst case scenario - you don't actually breath for a minute or two - then you overbreathe and feel dizzy, sick and panicky. You will not die from this but you will continue to worry about it and suffer needlessly until you let it go.
Whether this means trawling the net for info, going to see a councillor or reading some kind of self help book, then do it!

[Tha-Flash]

Just in through the nose and out through the mouth.

Being conscious of your breath is a good thing because you can always breathe the best way. Put your hand on your stomache and inhale, u should feel ur stomache go out. On your exhale through the mouth u should feel ur stomache go in.

Try and stop breathing, it's impossible while you still have air around u, isn't it?

[spurslady]

I know the feeling you mean, I have experienced this a few times and never really thought anything of it, till reading your post then.

I think it is a thing that is all in the mind, you suddenly become conscious of what you are doing and questioning yourself, Am I doing this right? That's how I feel then within a few mins I forget all about it. I can feel myself thinking about it now as I type.

Your not alone!!!

[Brum Lady]

Thanks for all the answers, cheers me up to think other people have experienced similar things. Sexy 67, yes, I have to take an enormous breath every so often so I feel I have filled my lungs.

I do try and think of other things, must try harder!

Brum Lady

[Pisceangirl]

Hi Brum Lady! I have experienced the same thing and I think it was at about the same time as I was doing yoga and guided meditation where you are taught to be aware of your breathing in order to centre yourself and stop thinking about any other life stress as you sort of go into a trance-like state! This sounds like a good thing that will help you chill out, but personally I found that, like you, I was taking too much notice of my breathing and suddenly it didn't seem like an automatic bodily function anymore but something I had to constantly monitor- as though, because I had started to consciously breath, I would stop doing it naturally! Maybe it's because I over-think things too much- I've not thought about it recently but now and again it just pops into my head. You are not alone! It may be a sign of anxiety, but to be honest, trying to chill out will probably make you notice your breathing more. Maybe try and consume yourself with a hobby and distract yourself. Your body will go on as normal with its automatic processes, even if you do need to take a big gulp of air every now and again! :)

[Brum Lady]

Thanks Piscean Girl. Sounds like the yoga would be a bad idea for me...!! Mind you, my hearing is not brilliant so if they were talking all quietly and calmly I probably wouldn't be able to pick up what they were saying, so that would make me even more anxious!!!

Have a nice day.