While recovering from surgery,
Breathing exercises are essential as anesthesia hampers your normal breathing patterns.
Mucus may build up in your lungs and breathing exercises can help you clear your lungs and lower your risk of pneumonia.
If any incisions were made in your chest or abdominal area,
It will most likely feel very tender to breathe deeply or to push air out.
If it's helpful,
Hold a pillow tightly over your incision and if you can,
Sit upright.
We will breathe in deeply through the nose,
Expanding your belly and widening through your ribcage.
We will hold at the top momentarily and then you'll breathe out slowly and completely through purse to lips.
Don't force the air out.
Just let it naturally release.
We will do 10 rounds.
Just try your best.
If you need to breathe at a slower or faster rate,
It's no problem.
Just fall back in rhythm with every other round.
Rest longer if you find yourself becoming dizzy or lightheaded.
I will guide you fully through the whole process.
Let's begin.
Sit upright if available.
If your surgical incision is on your chest or belly,
Consider holding a pillow tightly over your cut.
Soften or close your eyes and take a moment to observe your breath.
Just notice how it's moving through your body right in this moment.
Exhale the air out.
Inhale slowly through the nose,
Allowing your belly to begin to draw forward.
Just exhale out the mouth.
One more time like that.
Inhale slowly through the nose,
Filling out the belly and release out the mouth.
Again,
Inhale slowly through the nose,
Filling up the belly and see if you can't begin to feel the movement through your ribcage.
And as you exhale out this time,
Do it through pursed lips,
Nice and slow.
Good.
Again,
Inhale deeply as the belly balloons forward,
Ribcage widens out,
And now hold your breath here at the top and just allow that air to circulate.
And exhale slowly,
Fully,
Completely.
Inhale,
Belly expands,
Ribcage widens out,
And hold your breath at the top.
And gently and slowly breathe out through pursed lips.
You're doing great.
We're halfway there.
Inhale slowly through the nose,
Filling up the belly and the ribcage,
Holding at the top.
And exhale out through pursed lips,
Nice and slow.
Inhale deeply,
Belly balloons forward,
Ribcage widens out.
Hold your breath full,
Allowing time for that air to circulate.
And exhale slowly.
Inhale,
Belly expands,
Ribcage widens,
And hold your breath.
Slowly,
Gently breathe out through pursed lips.
Inhale slowly through the nose,
Filling up that belly,
Widening through your ribcage,
And hold at the top.
Exhale out,
Pursed lips,
Nice and slow.
Last round.
Inhale deeply,
Belly balloons forward,
Ribcage widens out to the side,
Fullest breath,
And holding here at the top.
Exhale slowly.
Good.
Just let it fall out.
Just allow your breath to return both in and out through the nose.
Eyes can stay closed.
And just take some time to observe how you feel.
Recovering from any surgery takes time.
It takes patience.
So really great work showing up,
Showing up for yourself,
Being in charge of your healing process.
My name is Mary of Breath Mindset.
Breathe well,
Friends,
And a speedy recovery to you,
Too.
