Tag Archives: breathing

Breathing Tips for Runners

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Running is an exhilarating way to get into shape. I know runners who run just for the sheer freedom it affords them. It’s also a way to get into shape, burn off stress and just get the mind refocused. When I was in high school, I went running every day. It helped, especially when I was angry, upset or just in general out of sorts with the world. Focusing on the sound of my feet slapping against the pavement relieved more tension than anything else. Breathing When you’re running, you start to pant. You lose the capacity to take a … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Sleeping Like the Dead

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Is your pet a deep sleeper? My two dogs tend to be pretty light sleepers. (The exception being when either dog is dreaming and “running” at the same time. That seems to be the deepest sleep for them.) I would think that since pets tend to have far more sensitive ears than humans do, they would sleep very lightly. (At least compared to sleeping humans.) But I guess it really depends on the pet. A coworker at the cats-only boarding facility was telling me a story about a deeply sleeping guest who gave her a scare. The cat in question … Continue reading →

What Is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of death in America — and many people don’t know what it is. COPD is an umbrella term that covers emphysema (a loss of elasticity in the air sacs that makes breathing difficult), chronic bronchitis (permanently narrowed airways thanks to repeated inflammation), and even some forms of asthma! More than twelve million Americans have already been diagnosed with COPD — and approximately ninety percent of these cases are a result of smoking. Problems develop after twenty “pack years” — smoking one pack per day for twenty years, or two … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Triage

Triage is the process of prioritizing injuries and body conditions in order of severity. If your pet is seriously ill or has been seriously injured, triage will help you choose the most dangerous risk to use first aid on first. Before attending to your pet, make sure you are in a safe place. Performing first aid in the middle of a busy street where your pet has been hit by a car is not good for either of you. Relocate to a secure place whenever possible. Keep in mind the basics of emergency health care: Check, Call, Care. Check your … Continue reading →

Learning to relax (2)

Correct breathing is an essential part of learning to relax, so today we’ll look at how to recapture the way we all used to breathe as a matter of habit. Breathing plays a large part in the ability to relax because breathing has a psychological as well as a physiological effect on the body. Just as thoughts can change breathing patterns, so too can the way we breathe affect the way we think. Slow breathing promotes calm. Rapid breathing encourages overstimulation of the nervous system. Proper breathing can lower the metabolic rate and make us feel more relaxed. The slower … Continue reading →