Isn't it the worst when you've been "made," when you've been "found out?"  It 's bad enough to have done or not done the action that you just got caught for, but getting caught seems to add a little more sting to the conscience.  Like Ralphie said in A Christmas Story, every 5th grade kid knows that it is much worse to get caught and face the consequences than to get away with the "crime."  However, the problem with today's "confession" is that it will eventually tell on me if I don't change my ways.

Confession #2: I have failed to remember to breathe deeply from my abdomen.  I know that this doesn't sound like a big deal, but, trust me, IT'S HUGE!  Going throughout the day, facing life's stresses and challenges can lead to lots of "shallow and rapid" breathing.  This is a good thing if you are running from a tiger, but it's bad if you are trying to simply live your regular, every day life.  Why is that?  Because rapid, shallow breathing leads to increased carbon dioxide levels and decreased oxygen levels in your blood stream.  This leads to muscles and joints being more stiff and tight, which can lead to pain and decreased function.  Not only that, but concentration ability is going to be severely diminished as one is in this "fight or flight" state. 

So, what does one do to fix this problem. Chill out. Actually, force yourself to chill out.  When you feel your heart rate increase and notice your breathing become quickened, decide to stop, slow-down and b.r.e.a.t.h.e. d.e.e.p.l.y. and s...l...o...w...l...y. Do this at least 10 times.  You will feel your shoulders relax, your back and neck  become less stiff and your mind come back into focus. This takes time to master, but be aware of your body and make every effort to have it functioning in a relaxed-state more than a stressed-state.  I'm doing this right now.  Hope you are, too.