Catching your breath

Last weekend I attended the annual Victoria Hospice Society's Spiritual Care Conference. I was fascinated by a lecture given by our keynote speaker, Dr. Thomas Attig, whose presentation was entitled "Catching Your Breath In Grief". Dr. Attig took his audience through the life, death and grieving process in partnership with how we use our breath. Though this blog is not focused on death and grief, I felt that his reflections on the breath are certainly relevant to us as caregivers and wanted to share some of Dr. Attig's reflections with you.

Dr. Attig spoke about the breath of life, reminding us that from the time we are babies we are given breath which continues to support us through life ... however we often take it for granted. Only in special circumstances do we take notice of the breath, for example, when strong emotion or physical exertion takes our breath away. At the end of life is when many do take notice of the breath, observers pay attention to every breath at the bedside of their loved one in anticipation for the last breath. Loved ones take notice after the last breath is taken, as their world changes in the wake of that last breath.

Rarely do we attend to the breath, even though the process of doing so is grounding and reconnects us with who we are. I certainly have felt this grounding experience when I practice singing in a purposeful way ... I must focus on how I inhale and exhale each breath to maximize my vocal stamina and range. Afterwards I do feel as though it's easier to breathe, through normal life and stresses that come with being a caregiver. Other formal ways of catching your breath include meditation and yoga, though it can also be achieved by stopping in the moment and simply feeling your breath. The next time you are in your caregiving role and are feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, try attending to your breath and see if it makes a difference for you. Over the next few posts I will publish a few easy breathing patterns that may help start the process of bringing your awareness to your breath.

For more information about Dr. Attig or his books, please visit his website by clicking on the blog title.