Breathe.

In the Bible, in Daniel 10:17, we read about Daniel feeling unable to breathe. The scripture reads, "How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." (Daniel 10:17, NIV). It is important to note that Daniel is overwhelmed and when one is overwhelmed, logic and reason are not activated and a state of anxiety (fight, flight, or freeze) is activated. It is only when he can regain his breath that he can hear the message.

Ever felt a little panicked or felt your heart quicken, or your throat start to close? Ever had trouble convincing your heart to stop racing or your worries to stop? If so, you sound human and you have been overwhelmed, stressed, afraid, anxious, or unsure.

Welcome to the club.

Keep reading.

It is said that those who encounter angels (and I imagine trauma triggers and LIONS, too) often react with intense fear (Numbers 22:31; Daniel 8:16–17; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:9–10; Acts 10:3–4). This sounds about right. I imagine that, since angels are immensely powerful spiritual beings, my breath would certainly become wonky, if it didn't stop completely. Daniel is attempting to have a conversation with such a creature (Daniel 10:5–15) but is struggling not to be overwhelmed by his fear and anxiety. We cannot form intelligible words and have conversations if we are dysregulated. We cannot use our pre-frontal cortex to think or find solutions. One obvious sign of dysregulation is disprupted breathing or the inability to manage your breaths.

Much like Daniel, when we are faced with overwhelming circumstances, stress, fear, or worry, our breathing becomes dysregulated. For those who are caretakers, we know that the practical issue with breathing is that we have to take our next breath in order to help keep alive and safe those who are in our care.

As a youngster and childless adult (who traveled frequently), I often questioned the flight attendants (then stewardesses) when they reviewed the safety protocols for an emergency, and instructed all passengers to place their oxygen masks securely around their face, prior to helping those seated nearby. I often dismissed this idea, knowing that as a leader and a helper, I would naturally and most certainly, assist a nearby child, mother, or elderly person, before attending to my own needs.

How chivalarous.

How dumb.

How would I have enough oxygen to help another, when I hadn't taken breaths myself?

We are designed by God to keep breathing, and reasoning, and communicating until we pass. We are intricately designed to stay regulated or return to a regulated state once we are overstimiulated. When we take deep breaths, our vagus nerve is stimulated and our blood pressure will start to come down, our heartrate will return to normal, and we will feel a restored sense of physical and psychological calm.

Just Breathe.

Forbes Health recently posted about the importance of breathing and the impact of breathing on wellness. Forbes often writes about health-related issues and interventions to decrease stress and I appreciate those articles. From their attention to stress and anxiety, I gather that no matter your place on the "get rich ladder of life", you will experience stress and anxiety! So, none of us are alone or immune to anxiety.

Stress is not person-specific, but impacts us all- rich, "getting there", or poor!

Want some brething regulation ideas?

I have some!

"Belly Brething" or, breathing from your diaphragm has immediate effects on your rate of your breaths and your sense of calm. I often use the hexogram (Hex breaths) to help folks breath in a healthy pattern with control. My goals is to help people breathe in a 4-2-8 pattern, but it takes practice!

• 4 to inhale and make your "belly" full like you are filling a balloon with air.

• 2 to pause at the top or the bottom.

• 8 to exhale, creating a flattened balloon belly and controlling the speed of your breath.

There are many ways to breathe for moments a day, to feel the results and a better sense of control over emotions, triggers, stressors, or circumstances.

I have included affiliate links below for you to browse and shop (I do earn commisson on these Amazon favorites if you purchase).

I cannot gaurantee the effectiveness of all of the products listed, but I have used them and had great results, or read them and enjoyed the content. I also added a link to Forbes Magazine in case I peaked your interest on managing stress (or climbing the "get rich" ladder!).

To become a well-trained regulator of your nervous system, consider the Meditation Headband, by Flowtime. You can do nuerofeedback training in your own home!

Also, cuter and super affordable for the beginning "breather", take a look at theis Mindfulness Breathing Owl. He helps with guided visual meditation with lights.

Two books I recommend are Heart Breath Mind by Dr. Leah Lagos (it was under 20 bucks for paperback or Kindle when I last looked!) and Breathing is my Superpower, by Alicia Ortego, for any worried little ones in your life.

A Forbes Magazine will allow you to read through their articles about stress, getting rich, or staying rich!

Have a great day.

Take five minutes to make a cup of tea, put your feet up, get in tune with your breathes and do some intentional work on regulating your nervous system.

You will feel the results in your body, heart, and mind.

Be well or continue working to get better,

Dr. Getz