I’m diving 40 feet below the surface of the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and I am terrified.
To me, the open ocean has always been a source of awe and fascination, and the great respect I carry for it also comes with an immense, primal fear.
Have you ever been scuba diving?
At some point, my fascination won over fear, and I found the courage to take a scuba class…and was soon immersed in the depths of the ocean, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and otherworldly sea creatures.
And then I suddenly realized how far below the surface I was.
Panic set in.
I couldn’t breathe.
The scuba instructor patiently and gently took my hand and signaled me to breathe.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Slowly and deliberately.
My nervous system started to calm down. I felt more in control and my awareness of this incredible environment returned. It was beautiful.
By controlling my breathing, I was able to shift from panic to calm within a few seconds (although it felt much longer than that!).
You may have noticed that your breathing changes with your emotions, and vice versa.
The way we breathe affects how we feel.
The great thing is a few simple practices can drastically change how we go through a situation.
This video is all about breathwork.
I’m sharing:
‣ How breathing affects the nervous system
‣ Why deep breathing can sometimes make anxiety worse
‣ 5 simple breathing techniques you can try today to feel more calm and in control.
Check it out here.
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