Sitting in the airport a couple years ago now, it was pointed out to me that I was physically shaking as I started to eat the meal in front of me. Apparently, it was clear to anyone sitting with me how terrified I was to eat this meal, or more accurately any meal.
I was shocked at the observation.
I knew that I would was nervous about eating and any reactions that would inevitably come after, but between us, I really thought I was hiding it well. Jokes on me, I guess.
Physicians at the time shared with me that I was in an intense fight or flight battle each day without even realizing it. Most likely my body was in this mode 24/7, but would escalate immediately before, during and after meals when I had to encounter the very thing that had tried to kill me a couple times before.
However, living in this state makes everything worse. There are numerous studies about how living in a state of anxiety is bad for any digestion, let alone proper digestion.
So, what’s a girl to do?
Apparently, box breathing. Or if that’s not your thing, several other breathing techniques could be used. The concept is so simple and yet it was extremely difficult for me to start implementing into my daily practice.
The technique shared with me was essentially the following:
· Deeply breathe in for four counts
· Hold for four counts
· Exhale for four counts
· Hold for four counts
· Repeat
The goal set for me was to do this 3-5 times before each meal and another 5 – 10 before bed at night. This would allow me to get out of fight or flight modes so I could digest better and be more restful going into a night’s sleep.
What I continue to find fascinating about health journeys are how very simple things that are done repetitively can improve our lives.
While I don’t know what you might be going through, I can say that getting my body out of fight or flight mode with this technique was a game changer. It allowed me to think a bit more clearly, root myself in the current moment and digest better as I was still in the process of trying to figure out what was going on.
Always with you on this journey, thanks for joining me.
With love,
Ashley
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