Just Breathe…
Have you ever wondered why people say that? Why is breathing going to help when you feel scared, sad, angry or any other type of big emotion?
When we feel a big emotion, our body changes our breath. We might find it hard to breathe, our breath might become rapid and short, or we might hold it altogether. These changes in our breath are one way that our body is showing us how we are feeling.
Our breath is the only part of our autonomic nervous system that we are able to have some control over. We can’t just will our heart to beat differently, or our liver to continue as normal , but we do have some control about how air enters and exits our bodies if we focus on it.
By taking some big breaths, by changing our breathing to a more regulated pattern, we communicate back to the rest of our body that we are okay enough to breathe. As the breath travels around our body, it tells the rest of our autonomic system the message: it’s okay, let’s return to a more relaxed state. Amazingly, our body listens!
AMY BAILLIE
Certified Synergetic Play Therapist
Children’s Counsellor