This was very useful Rob, especially for those of us with kids. While not in an ambulance, there's often that feeling of an emotional emergency with your children and I see how these techniques could really help. But also, this is what you do?? EMT? Or volunteer? Curious.
So glad to hear it. There are always kid/teen crises. Oh, and I've been a volunteer EMT for 13 years now, and formerly a firefighter, though I stepped back from that when I turned 50!
Thanks so much Rob! I’ve been interested in knowing more about breathing techniques and this morning I saw this post right after the school called having had an “incident” with my daughter, who is a special needs kid. I was able to use the pulse feeling technique and also the “sigh” to calm myself. Thanks for being a part of what helped me today. Somehow the tools seem to show up right when I need them!
So glad to hear that, Sue! I’ve often done these practices in cars, on trains, etc. A friend mentioned doing 4-8 for a few rounds in the driveway after arriving home from work, letting go of the stress of the day before stepping into the house.
Love how this turned out, Rob. It was a pleasure to review the initial draft of this.
What sets this post apart for me are the stories you share from your experience as an EMT and with your kids and your ability to explain these concepts in so few words... like here "You’ll see young children naturally do this after a period of sobbing" and here "She could watch on the heart monitor as her pulse rate ticked reliably downward." and here "We often think of CO2 as a waste product, but it’s essential. People having panic attacks feel like they can’t breathe, but they actually have plenty of oxygen, and not enough CO2. We need CO2 to put the oxygen to use." Whenever I hear that last one explained it's always overly sciencey (including attempted explanations by yours truly).
Thanks for sharing and hope you're having a great trip!
I've just shared this post with my spouse, who is getting curious about breathwork techniques as part of his meditation practice. I use 4-8 often, but that final one is new to me. A great resource, Rob. Thank you.
Thrilled to hear it's useful, Lindsay. And yes, breathwork's such a great way to find balance before meditation. That might be a good post down the road, specific to that. Thanks for reading. 🙏
This was very useful Rob, especially for those of us with kids. While not in an ambulance, there's often that feeling of an emotional emergency with your children and I see how these techniques could really help. But also, this is what you do?? EMT? Or volunteer? Curious.
So glad to hear it. There are always kid/teen crises. Oh, and I've been a volunteer EMT for 13 years now, and formerly a firefighter, though I stepped back from that when I turned 50!
Amazing. Fun to be learning bits and pieces of your story. : )
Thanks so much Rob! I’ve been interested in knowing more about breathing techniques and this morning I saw this post right after the school called having had an “incident” with my daughter, who is a special needs kid. I was able to use the pulse feeling technique and also the “sigh” to calm myself. Thanks for being a part of what helped me today. Somehow the tools seem to show up right when I need them!
So happy to hear the tools were helpful, Emily—and that the timing was good!
Great info, Rob, thank you!
Glad to hear it, Cherie—thank you, as always, for reading. 🙏
A very timely post, thank you. Reaching for the rescue remedy and bringing breath work into play as I face a difficult week.
I hope the breaths are useful, Sue. I've used them in many a difficult week. 🙏
Thanks Rob, practising them as we drive down the M1. Feel calmer already!
So glad to hear that, Sue! I’ve often done these practices in cars, on trains, etc. A friend mentioned doing 4-8 for a few rounds in the driveway after arriving home from work, letting go of the stress of the day before stepping into the house.
Love how this turned out, Rob. It was a pleasure to review the initial draft of this.
What sets this post apart for me are the stories you share from your experience as an EMT and with your kids and your ability to explain these concepts in so few words... like here "You’ll see young children naturally do this after a period of sobbing" and here "She could watch on the heart monitor as her pulse rate ticked reliably downward." and here "We often think of CO2 as a waste product, but it’s essential. People having panic attacks feel like they can’t breathe, but they actually have plenty of oxygen, and not enough CO2. We need CO2 to put the oxygen to use." Whenever I hear that last one explained it's always overly sciencey (including attempted explanations by yours truly).
Thanks for sharing and hope you're having a great trip!
Thanks, man—your input, as always, was so helpful—and I appreciate your reading this again! Trip's going great, thank you.
I've just shared this post with my spouse, who is getting curious about breathwork techniques as part of his meditation practice. I use 4-8 often, but that final one is new to me. A great resource, Rob. Thank you.
Thrilled to hear it's useful, Lindsay. And yes, breathwork's such a great way to find balance before meditation. That might be a good post down the road, specific to that. Thanks for reading. 🙏