Archive for July, 2005
Holding your breath
I held my breath in the swimming pool the other day for a total of exactly 2 minutes and 33 seconds.
For me, the key is to get as much oxygen in my blood stream as possible beforehand. Don’t “hyperventilate” (breathe in and out really fast), as that actually keeps your body from absorbing the oxygen. Instead, take deep, relaxed breaths and hold it in your lungs for a few seconds so your lungs absorb the oxygen. Let it out and repeat the process for about a minute.
When you’re ready to hold your breath, pull as much into your lungs as possible and hold it there. Don’t try to fill your mouth and throat up with air because that just makes it more difficult to relax. Try to lock your throat and just keep the all the air in your lungs.
Set a goal in seconds, relax, and count. After your body has used up most of the oxygen, your breathing reflexes will start to kick in and a lot of people make the mistake of exhaling and inhaling the air from their lungs to their mouth and back and forth. Resist this impulse and force your body to relax. This will slow your heart down so you don’t need as much oxygen.
*Keep your throat locked and keep the air in your lungs.*
Keep counting until you meet your goal.
Once you have met your goal, come up relaxed and take a deep, relaxed breath of air. Don’t start hyperventilating! Remember hyperventilating prevents you from absorbing the oxygen.
Dressed up
I don’t have much to write today, besides the fact that I am currently dressed up in my best clothes. Silky black dress pants, a blue dress shirt, and of course, the obligatory black dress shoes and black leather belt.
I have to leave the office early at 4:30 so that I can go to my girlfriend’s cousin’s wedding. Yay.
I hate weddings almost as much as I hate funerals.