Whales utilize their lungs to receive the oxygen they need by breathing air, similar to humans. They breathe through their nostrils called blowholes, located on top of their head rather than breathing through their mouth as we do. They can easily breathe through the blowhole without lifting their entire head out of the water. And yet, my photo above captures this orcas whale resurfacing in its upward climb for the cool air of the Puget Sound. It’s a majestic moment indeed to witness these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat in deep waters.

For us as humans, breathing is an abundant resource that we may under utilize when experiencing shocking events in life. What may be shocking to one person may have relatively mild impacts for another, the reasons for which I won’t elaborate at this time. Dr. William Emerson, a leading expert in the area of shock and its impacts, highlights some potential shocking events for children as follows: perpetual neglect and unmet needs (called need shock), chronic parental narcissism or manipulation, repeated failures and/or rejections, forced sex and/or rape, environmental catastrophe, separation and divorce, especially involving contentious litigation, family violence, physical/sexual/emotional and/or witnessed abuse, serious accident/injury/surgery, near-death experience of any kind, witnessing the death of a significant other (e.g. a child witnessing the death of a parent during a car accident, death of a parent or significant other), witnessed violence, coerced drug use, and kidnapping. (Emerson Seminars)

While encountering a shocking experience, we may react by losing contact with ourselves by not remaining in the present moment. It may be too hard for us to stay in the present reality given the level of shock to our system. This kind of leaving is our attempt to protect ourselves, and yet leaving in this way can have huge drawbacks and implications because we are no longer present. Other shocking events can trigger our body to remember earlier shocks. For example, a pattern may be revealed: if we freeze in one situation, we may find that we freeze in another potentially shocking situation. We may discover that we are actually holding our breath in these moments. Creating the intention for returning to the present moment can be an empowering experience in such moments. Connecting with our breath by breathing with intention may support our body and overall system such that we can find our way back to the present moment even in the midst of difficult times.

Drinking water is another resource that can help support and stabilize our body in the midst of difficult realities. Finding additional resources that are available to us may increase our internal support for staying present, such as, listening to our favorite music, taking a walk, wrapping up in a soft blanket, taking a shower/soothing bath, whale watching, and other healthy experiences that support our wellbeing.

19 Aug This entry was published on August 19, 2014 at 5:10 PM. It’s filed under counseling, health, mental health, therapy, wellness and tagged breathing, children, shock, trauma. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.