Breathing to Get Energy & Exercise
Last week, walking with my Mom (86) down the driveway, I saw her stopping about every 10 feet and taking short, shallow breaths. The lack of breath scared her. We took her blood pressure and used a finger oxygen sensor (oximeter) when she got into the house. Her vital signs were normal. (She is under a doctor’s care for her heart, so we are very careful with any home diagnoses and made an appointment for her to see her doctor.)
But thinking about it, pre-COVID she would swim in the community pool twice a week and was active shopping and moving around. I know it is very difficult for some elderly people to have the strength, balance, and/or mindset to regularly walk, swim, practice yoga…
While testing her oxygen levels, I remembered a MasterClass I attended, “Donna Farhi Teaches Yoga.” In the class, Ms. Farhi taught breathing techniques and talked about how deep breathing can ramp up blood flow and give a person energy.
I Googled “breathing exercises,” and found a simple recipe for my Mom to try. (See below). Not only did the recipe help relax her, calm her, but it gave her an action plan to help her be stronger and exercise her lungs. Our family has a group text including my Mom and siblings, and each day I will text the group, “Time to do our breathing exercises.” Sometimes we all need to be reminded to just breathe.
I’m thinking if people aren’t in a position to really exercise and might feel defeated about their lack of movement, maybe breathing exercises could be a start. My Mom is happier with the breathing exercises. It feels good to take deep breaths, and I know your organs, blood, and spirit will be grateful.
Simple breathing technique:
Sit or lie flat in a comfortable position.
Put one hand on your belly just below your ribs and the other hand on your chest.
Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let your belly push your hand out. ...
Breathe out through pursed lips as if you were whistling. ...
Do this breathing 3 to 10 times