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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kiwiredbeach on November 20, 2006, at 10:13:42
I know some users have used breathing exercises for some benefit, nearly every pdoc ive used raves on about it. One said to me that if i ever wanted to be free of general anxiety disorder that i would have to master breathing exercises. However no one tells me how long I should do it for...5 mintues 10 or twenty ??? once a day twice a day ...gee I dont know ....How long do you have to do it for before I get an effect ???
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Posted by TherapyGirl on November 20, 2006, at 12:54:33
In reply to Help on breathing, posted by kiwiredbeach on November 20, 2006, at 10:13:42
Hi. Don't know if this will help, but I've done guided imagery with a certified hypnotherapist and breathing during those exercises is *very* important. The exercises usually last about 20 minutes. I've found since then, though, that if I can remember to take some time and breathe whenever I get upset, I can usually calm myself down in about 5 minutes.
It may be different for GAD (although I'm a pretty anxious person). My guess is you're going to just have to try it in 5-minute spurts. You'll know when it's working. And breathe way deep -- you want your stomach to be like a balloon that you are filling up and deflating. Also, each inhale and exhale should take about 5 seconds.
Hope this helps.
Posted by muffled on November 20, 2006, at 13:01:20
In reply to Help on breathing, posted by kiwiredbeach on November 20, 2006, at 10:13:42
Hello,
I think you must breath until you feel better?
I am just posting cuz I get more nervous if I think about breathing, so it works for many, but not for all.
I think its cuz of having had bad asthma is why I don't like to think bout breathing.
Take care,
Muffled
Posted by sunnydays on November 20, 2006, at 13:58:09
In reply to Help on breathing, posted by kiwiredbeach on November 20, 2006, at 10:13:42
I think they mean to try to do the breathing when you get anxious and do it until you feel better. Although it does take practice, so it might be good to start out doing it for five minutes at a time when you're not anxious. Then when you're good at it you'll be better able to use it when you're anxious.
sunnydays
Posted by annierose on November 20, 2006, at 17:48:03
In reply to Help on breathing, posted by kiwiredbeach on November 20, 2006, at 10:13:42
I learned many breathing techniques in my yoga classes, and they are extremely helpful.
Breathing also ties in nicely with meditation for the same purposes.
Try closing your eyes and breathe in through your nose (deep breaths) and breathe out slowly through your mouth or nose. At first breathing via my nose was not comfortable or natural and I felt I could never get a deep enough breath. Nine months later I prefer it. Like anything else, it just takes practice. Good luck.
When I do get anxious, I try repeat to myself, "Come back to my breath." If I take the time to actually close my eyes and breathe it works.
Posted by Poet on November 23, 2006, at 19:13:50
In reply to Help on breathing, posted by kiwiredbeach on November 20, 2006, at 10:13:42
Hi Kiwiredbeach,
My pdoc, Dr. Clueless, showed me part of a DVD on breathing last week. She thinks it'll help me feel less stressful around people. Hopefully this link will work: "The Art of Breathing Six Simple Lessons to Improve Performance, Health an Well-Being" It's by Nancy Zi.
I would rather try breathing exercises than taking meds or hiding in my car (the weather is getting too cold where I am for that, darn it.)
Poet
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