Learning to breath.

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Breathing is one of the best lessons I've learned personally over the last few months. I recently completed a semester of Advanced Nursing, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. My stress level was out of the roof. Absolutely insane. I wasn't eating right, or sleeping. Everything that I KNEW was wrong, but was doing anyway. I won't do that again.

If I could offer any advice, it would be to stop, take a few minutes to decompress and actually focus on "breathing". Literally. I found a series of free videos online, some 15 minutes, some 30. I use them whenever I have a chance. Sometimes in the car between a class, to break-up a study session, to get my mind right before an exam, or to fall to sleep to. Anywhere that you can fit it in, I would advise you to do so.

I never realized how joyous just taking a moment to breath and do nothing was.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

One of our lectures was on relaxation techniques for our patients. I have been using the 4X4 breathing technique and it's been very helpful to me. I also will go out for a run to help myself relax. It forces me to breath in a regular pattern, which seems to get me relaxed and get my brain focused.

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I've never heard of the 4x4 breathing technique. How does it work?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, rinse and repeat

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Hint for charting:

Breath, noun. "He took a deep breath."

Breathe, verb. "He learned to breathe properly."

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Perfect, thanks so much. I'll try this method.

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