Teaching Myself To Breath

Biggles

As my wonderful DH’s VD and Aphasia progress I am trying to teach my self to sit still and just breath, gently and slowly in and out. This is a challenge and so hard as I have always been movement plus. I am also trying to use all the support that I have access to because as we all know the cavalry won’t come unless you ask. Yesterday I was emotionally spent, costly house renovations, no one to talk to, a difficult night etc so for the first time I called our daughter only 10mins away asked her to call in and sit with her Dad hold his hand, and have some soothing chat. It was lovely we had a relaxed cup of tea and our daughter enjoyed being made to stop as well. Next week our son is flying in for 2 nights 3 days and I am trying to just breath easily for that as well, I am nervous about not planning outings but my DH can no longer cope with any hustle. Fingers crossed.

Biggles

BikingOldMan

For me the way to stop, be still and just breathe is with music. Only instrumentals. Smooth jazz, maybe classical or piano for me.

Biggles

I absolutely agree with music it helps enormously. Thank you.

trottingalong

At night I sometimes have a difficult time going to sleep. I love the sound of rain so I listen to sounds of rain in my music app. I’m quite surprised how soothing it is. So now I sometimes put my headphones on during the day for 5 minutes at a time, listen and take some deep, soothing breaths.

Pacony

God bless - this is such a difficult time. I’m a singer so I endorse music for getting into our feelings though sometime you just need to “scream”. There’s a lot to be said for the release that provides too.

Bailey's Mom

I agree about the music…Credence Clearwater does it for me for some reason. However, like Pacony, sometimes I need to get in my car and scream at the top of my lungs to let it all out.

Michele P

I started taking time release melatonin to sleep. It has definitely helped me go back to sleep when I wake up during the night.
Meditating and taking walks helps.

Metta

Breathe in to a count of four, hold for a count of two, and breathe out for a count of six or more. It calms the parasympathetic nervous system.

wose

That count breathing helps me immensely when trying to sleep. When things get dicey I’ll have to remember that. Thank you for the post Biggles, sometimes we need reminding. Right now, I sing very loudly in my room as a reset. I’m down to cooking or singing as my little helpers … nothing else works.

Lorita

My husband also had vascular dementia and I was his sole caregiver for seven years so I know what you are dealing with. After I lost him it was hard to sleep and I discovered Chinese Zen Music. To me it is very calming, mostly the flutes. I still listen to it when I get stressed. Try that and find the variety you like.

Good luck - you have found the best place to learn about what is in the future so you will be prepared. Ask questions and I know you will get good answers.