Breathability NZ

Just a wee reminder that there is only so much that is in our control and remember breathing well is one of them!

Focus less on things outside your control on more on what you choose to do

Image: https://www.instagram.com/6secondseq

We see the invisible, the unseen and how hard you work to live. Sharing this post from MECFS Canterbury and words from Corina Curteanu for Sunday inspiration.

And for those who carry invisible pain — and for those who care for them — may these words serve as a quiet reminder:

Getting a good nights sleep can be easier said than done. Plan in something relaxing to do like watching the clouds go by, lying on the sofa in the sun or reading a book you would read for fun. Our bodies and brain need down time so pick something that helps you to switch off every day. Being tired and wired contributes to poor sleep. What will you do to help your body have more moments of rest?


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March 13th was World Sleep day and how many of us know that poor sleep affects how clearly we think, make decisions and how we perceive our situation or circumstances. Pain even feels worse on the back of poor sleep. Our first tip to sleep well this month is consider not using bright lights this includes using devices with back lit screens before bed. Give yourself a two hour window and see what difference it makes.


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www.jennifermepham.com

The Long COVID journey is very real condition bringing challenges unique to those living with the ongoing and fluctuating symptoms and the hardest part of this journey we hear from people living with Long COVID is that their families, friends or health professionals do not believe them.
The 15th March is International Long COVID awareness day. Long COVID is diagnosed following Covid 19 when symptoms continue for longer than 3 months. It can affect people who have had mild acute Covid 19 illness to being so unwell an admission to hospital was required. There are over 200 documented symptoms; respiratory physiotherapy can help people living with fatigue, post exertional malaise, breathlessness, brain fog, breathing pattern changes, POTS, joint pain and poor sleep.
For those of you who don't know, Breathability was developed to support people to access Long COVID education and management strategies no matter where they live. Catherine and Jen run Long COVID clinics to support people face to face and work to provide education to other health professionals.
Today is about honouring those who are living with Long COVID, we see you, we support you and thank you for the advocacy you have done to get the condition recognised. Please keep the faith and hold onto hope.

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We are very proud of Catherine's contribution toward a systematic review of the role of breathing pattern in Functional dissociative seizures. There is much more work to be done but a noteworthy start. Well done Catherine and the research team! For more information you can read more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505026000405

The Lung Mechanic

www.sciencedirect.com

Did you find a way to chill out and notice your body let go and your breathing find a calmer rhythm?
Can you make this a part of your routine to experience the letting go more often? It doesn't have to be at the beach, (or in a hammock!) just where you feel most rested and getting to the space doesn't add to your mental load.

Being outside can help reduce cortisol levels ( a multi function hormone in the body that plays a role in stress) and reduce muscle tension and anxiety.
Take a moment to just be outside this week and notice how it helps you to regulate your breathing



📸Jen Mepham. Smails beach Dunedin, NZ

Heart health awareness month: Quitting smoking will benefit your heart health and your breathing. In just 8 hours of being smoke free the oxygen levels increase and by 1 month the lung function increases by 30%!
We don’t want you to do this without support, the quit line has heaps of resources check them out https://quit.org.nz/help-to-quit-smoking

(source:https://www.smokefree.org.nz/quit/tips-and-advice/the-benefits-of-quitting)

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Here is a friendly pair of feet to remind you to carve our some time to relax this Waitangi weekend. Its when we make the time to let our bodies be calm and rested that we can get the foundation strong to breathe well.

www.breathability.nz