Letting Go

I'm taking a stress management class this quarter; it was a pickup class, so that I'd have enough credits to qualify for financial aid. But I must say, the tips and techniques I have learned really helped today. You see, for years I have had a heart arythmia and get bouts of tachicardia (hope that is spelled right...haven't taken cardio-systems yet.) Yes, I have meds that I'm supposed to take daily, but who remembers to do that! Anyway, I'm totally stressed out about today's lab practical, because I haven't been able to get to school for most of the last week due to snow. So I'm up at 4 AM, and at school to be at lab when the doors open at 7...do my lab work, study the models, etc., get a coffee at Starbucks and cram for three hours before the practical at noon. Whew! I'm tired typing this!

So, I'm at the lab building and a heart "event" hits. Simply stated, my heartbeat suddenly elevates and I feel faint. My body simply doesn't get enough oxygen when it beats at 180 bpm. I am forced to find a bathroom, and...don't gag...lay on the bathroom floor to get my breathing under control so my heartbeat will "break." Uggh. But I digress...the best part was that I had studied about deep breathing, and reducing stress by breathing and visualization. And voila! It all worked. Best of all, I went into the practical refreshed and relaxed.

But - lesson learned. Take your meds and lay off the dark roast coffee....
Cheers!
Ima