CoronaVirus Prevention Daily Routine Tip #2: Bag Breathe

Hi!
I hope everyone is doing well during this stressful time in history.  As we "Shelter in Place", I wanted to share a very helpful breathing tip to help calm you down and give your brain the nutrients it needs for healthy function.

I explain what's going on when you bag breathe in the video but in a nutshell, we need carbon dioxide for healthy blood.  The medulla monitors our blood gas balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide. When it's off balance, the kidneys are stimulated, the lungs are turned on and hormones are turned off/on to balance it out.

The take home:  You need carbon dioxide because it is a messenger molecule that takes the blood oxygen INTO the cell so the brain can use it.  Carbon dioxide gives the brain energy.

We're a bunch of shallow breathers and do too much mouth breathing.  Overoxgyenation stresses your brain and body out.  In times of stress like now, we're shallow breathing, mouth breathing and not doing enough exhaling!

Start breathing into a bag to DE-STRESS YOUR BODY AND BRAIN.  Carbon Dioxide dilates blood vessels, allowing more blood flow, especially in the brain.

Watch video to see how.   Then practice breathing into a bag 30-45 seconds, 4-5 times per day and calm down.  Exhale longer than you inhale.  Be aware.  Exhale.

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Grandparents raising Grandkids want fall prevention training

I was surprised when I got a phone call from the daughter of one of my former balance and mobility class participants last week.  I assumed she was calling about her father but it turned out she was applying for grant funding for the "Grandparents Raising Grandkids" program and wanted to include my fall prevention 101 workshops and balance training classes as part of the curricula. 

Falls are an honest to goodness threat to the independence and vitality of many older adults.  I have worked with hundreds of older adults and many come to class with the goal of improving balance and strength so they can keep up with their grandchildren.  Thus, it was no surprise when Julie told me she wanted to offer fall prevention services as part of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program she is affiliated with.

After a lot of discussion and explanation, she and I put together a fabulous program to be offered to local seniors, a mutually beneficial price structure, and ongoing sustainability components that will help the program meet the needs of this growing demographic.   Falls are a quickly becoming a public health epidemic and it will take collaborative community efforts to help prevent these unnecessary accidents.

Luckily, I wrote a 'mock' grant in my graduate grant writing class so I am familiar with the entire process; including the background work, key wording and performance outcomes that funders require in the application.   After a long night, Julie got the application for the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program in by the deadline.

Now we wait with baited breath.  And fingers crossed.   Praying for God's will......