Nathan Bransford - The Forums

So, in school last week, we had a class in stress reduction, and I found out that there is a very simple thing that reduces stress, and I never knew about it.

Breathing out.

Just breathing out, by itself, will reduce stress. That's why people sigh and let out puffs of breath when they trying to relax. It's also why singing is relaxing, because singing is breathing out for long periods of time. Well, it's one of the reasons why singing is relaxing, anyway.

Isn't that cool? I thought I'd share that simple tip, because it's so simple, and you can do it anywhere and anytime.

I work at a hospital and my boss is in charge of new nurse residency groups who come into our hospital (we are a teaching hospital.) The nurse residents have to spend a year in the residency program going to lectures and talks given by people and departments in the hospital to help with the transition and to keep the first year from scaring new nurses away. One of their first classes is about reducing stress and learning to "deal." I like going to that class and sitting in back because the instructor plays this great meditation music and walks everyone through these breathing exercises. I always feel like a completely different person afterward. It is kind of amazing how great it can feel to just sit back and concentrate on breathing.

But Mira, every time I breath out I find I have to breath in again! I must be doing it wrong...

Unless, of course, you're doing it through your nose and it whistles and that happens to be a pet peeve and it just annoys you more...

[cough]

I second singing. In the car. :)

sierramcconnell wrote:Unless, of course, you're doing it through your nose and it whistles and that happens to be a pet peeve and it just annoys you more...

[cough]

I second singing. In the car. :)

LOL!!! I hate nose whistling!!!!!!!! its right up there with popping gum.
(takes deep breath)

Sommer Leigh wrote:I work at a hospital and my boss is in charge of new nurse residency groups who come into our hospital (we are a teaching hospital.) The nurse residents have to spend a year in the residency program going to lectures and talks given by people and departments in the hospital to help with the transition and to keep the first year from scaring new nurses away. One of their first classes is about reducing stress and learning to "deal." I like going to that class and sitting in back because the instructor plays this great meditation music and walks everyone through these breathing exercises. I always feel like a completely different person afterward. It is kind of amazing how great it can feel to just sit back and concentrate on breathing.

Sommer - my stress reduction class was the best class I've had in a long time. I went through two progressive muscle relaxations in less than 30 minutes. I was a mass of relaxed jelly. It was wonderful. :)

J. T. SHEA wrote:But Mira, every time I breath out I find I have to breath in again! I must be doing it wrong...

No, I'd keep the breathing in part, J.T. They'll find a use for it someday, I'm sure. :)