B Is for Breathing
I was very anxious the entire day yesterday. I am supposed to travel to Ahmedabad from Bengaluru tomorrow and needed to get RT-PCR test done. And since I travelled back from Coorg only yesterday, there was no way I could get the test done earlier. Entire afternoon was spent yesterday looking for a lab that would give me the report before my scheduled departure. Finally I got it done yesterday evening at a hospital which will send the reports within 24 hours.
I just was relieved of that misery and so I got on a call with my mother in law to inform her about my travel details when I got to know that she is not well since the past few days. She had to urgently visit the doctor as her sugar levels have been dropping since the couple of days. She nor my husband told me about this since I was on a vacation with my parents and they didn’t want me to get troubled. But knowing that I wasn’t with her and she had to manage the house chores in my absence while was unwell pushed me into extreme guilt of enjoying myself while she was unwell.
I even was unhappy with her that she didn’t get food ordered or got a cook to get the cooking done and kept managing everything herself. I was super annoyed with my husband too for allowing her to cook while she was so low on energy. I even gave her a long lecture about self-care and to shun this mindset of being the care giver all the time.
A thought also passed my mind what if I am unwell someday? Since I am very attached to her so I also told her that on the phone. I asked whether I will be expected to live upto the standards set up by her to be this person who always thinks about the family needs before her own. I regretted later that I gave her a full blown lecture on women empowerment. But the kind lady that she is, she didn’t take it to heart and rather tried to calm me down. But this entire conversation upset me for the night.
So, I woke up today at 4:00 AM. I have been trying to practice meditation since couple of months, but we all know that it is not easy to keep away negative thoughts or for that any kind of thoughts while you are sitting in solitude. So, I learnt to practice deep breathing exercises as a first step to control the stream of thoughts.
Deep breathing exercises has helped me control my negative stream of thoughts previously and it helped me today too. I practiced deep breathing for 10 minutes today. I counted my blessings when I took my breath in and took out all the negative thoughts while breathing out. After a few breaths, I had a smile on my face and there were absolutely no negative thoughts.
It brought me a kind of joy which I have not experienced before. During my earlier trips visiting my parents I would really be too upset to leave them because I knew it will be a year before I meet them again. And everyday a day before I am extremely stressed and sad. But surprisingly this time I am not feeling sad rather joyful of the time I have spent with them. Even during such times, I got an opportunity to travel with them and make some beautiful moments.
So, take my word breathing works. Try it.
I am participating in #BlogchatterA2Z .
To Read what else gives my joy click on : A Is For A Game Of Badminton
Yes, taking deep breaths is very beneficial for our body. This gives peace to our body and mind.
Lovely post! breath! as of all that is going onn. we need to stop and take a break
Pingback: S Is For Solitude - Aesha's Musings
Pingback: R Is For Reading Daily - Aesha's Musings
Pingback: O Is For Organising - Aesha's Musings
Although you had a difficult day, you managed to get through it. We forget to breathe freely when we’re anxious. The wonders it does when we consciously breathe!
Pingback: C Is For Create - Aesha's Musings
Deep breathing has a lot of health benefits – for mind and body. When the time is less, it is always better to make the most of it than wallow in the anxiety and stress.
True Neha.
I loved the way you put the personal touch with the story to this whole breathing thing instead of just preaching about it. That really works like magic!
Thank you, Adi. That is my theme this year, to share my day to day musings about things that give me joy. I am glad you liked my post. Keep visiting.
It’s an amazing way to relax and channelize your thoughts.
Yes, Ruchi. It always works. Thanks for visiting. Keep coming.
Yes deep breathing is magical and I had seen that effect personally. it takes away your stress and give you a sense of calmness immediately. love the post dear. all the best for challenge.
Thank you, Surbhi. Deep breathing is indeed magical.
I can feel the emotional turmoil one goes through after learning the parent’s ill health. I have had faced same a few days ago, it is indeed a roller coaster ride with deep dive into negative thoughts. I will try the breathing exercise myself, Aesha. Thanks for sharing.
I am sure it will work for you, Dipika. Try it.Hope all is well now at your end.
A simple technique to relax. Good.
Thank you.Keep visiting my blog.
Oh sheesh! What a crappy day you had. I hope your MIL feels better soon. You too take care and yes, BREATHE! 🙂
Indeed, Shalini. Thankfully I am back home and all is well now.
Woww! A simple, yet most effective method of healing – BREATHE. I will always remember this. Thanks for spreading the light! 🙂
Thank you, Santwona. I am glad you could resonate with the post. Keep visiting.
I agree that deep breathing surely helps us. In fact, meditation takes a lot of effort because in solitude also, you need to push away thise negative feelings.
Yes, Geethica. It helps me a lot. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Deep breathing for me works wonders too during times of anxiety and stress. I liked the way you explained the importance of breathing through a personal incident.
Thanks, Nitisha. My posts are going to be up close and personal. I am glad you liked the post, keep visiting the blog.