another struggle through the day

Hi Cole,

Sorry to hear your are feeling bad today : ( If you've already been checked out by a doc for this in the past it's most likely caused by your extra stress and anxiety. One of my main symptoms is exhaustion and weakness, sometimes I just crash out in the middle of the day and feel like I'll fall asleep on my feet if I don't lay down. This usually leads to me panic or stress out more which causes the shortness of breath and feeling like I can't breathe right.

I usually try to lay down for a little while and focus on very slow and deep breaths in and out and breathing from my diaphragm. Sometimes I even hold my breath for a count of ten a couple times to get myself back on track of breathing right. Also, distraction seems to help as well. Just focusing on something your interested in for a little while and the anxiety can ease some.

I hope that you start feeling better soon, and if you keep worrying about it, it's probably a good idea to get checked out just to put your mind at ease.

Are you feeling any better today? I hope so!

Have you had any luck with breathing exercises? They can really help to give structure to your breathing and help you to feel more in control. They can also increase lung capacity and strengthen thoratic muscles that aid in breathing.

I have a favorite that I use often called 'The Divided Breath' (sorry if I have already recommended this to you, I forget) If you do a search of it here at HW, you will find it...along with threads on this common problem.:)

Feel better soon.

S.C.

I agree with PinkSkyCloud, if you've been to the doctor and everything has come back fine there's a good chance that this is just anxiety. For one I can definitely relate because there are times when I feel like my lungs aren't opening wide enough therefore I'm not getting in the air that I know I'm breathing in. Other times I feel like I just finished exercising and can't catch my breath. But I'm learning to remind myself that this is all in my mind and I am breathing just fine. Most of the time I go right back to my normal breathing. The worst thing you can do is give into the thought that you aren't breathing or you will stop breathing because that will make you feel worse. I wish you the best! :)