every night this week I have had the same flashback to a certain memory of my mother.

after it is so intense, I become aware that I am breathing really heavily- and when I say heavily, I sound like really bad.. it's not normal.

how do you guys slow your breathing?. any good tips?

edit: I can't reproduce the sound when I'm in a normal state, so no it's really bad

[Yaowen]

Dear raging vortex,

I am so sorry that is happening to you. It sounds very scary and distressing.

When I am experiencing really intense memories, emotions , thoughts or moods and I start breathing really heavily, I can usually bring my breathing back to normal by talking to my brain. Sometimes I just repeat these words over and over again: "I love you little brain. I am there for you. I know you are hurting and I am with you. We can get through this." Sometimes it is enough if I just tell my brain over and over again: "I love you." I find this settles down my breathing.

Hopefully you will get many responses to your post and will find suggestions that will prove helpful to you. Various things work and don't work for various people but hopefully you will get something helpful from the members here.

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen

Originally Posted by Yaowen

Dear raging vortex,

I am so sorry that is happening to you. It sounds very scary and distressing.

When I am experiencing really intense memories, emotions , thoughts or moods and I start breathing really heavily, I can usually bring my breathing back to normal by talking to my brain. Sometimes I just repeat these words over and over again: "I love you little brain. I am there for you. I know you are hurting and I am with you. We can get through this." Sometimes it is enough if I just tell my brain over and over again: "I love you." I find this settles down my breathing.

Hopefully you will get many responses to your post and will find suggestions that will prove helpful to you. Various things work and don't work for various people but hopefully you will get something helpful from the members here.

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen

I like your response

seriously, next time I feel I need to, I'm going to try it.

let you know if it works

[Fuzzybear]

Thanks for this thread. It's very helpful to me.