3 Things Mindfulness Changed about Living with and Managing Asthma

Cróna Tansey was sure that mindfulness would never work for her. She was soon taught this was an "unhelpful thinking pattern" and began applying it to how she felt about asthma. There was no way she could make something so troublesome into a positive, was there? 

Cróna admits that the "good things" about asthma are slim. However, mindfulness helped her adopt a more positive mindset around asthma and its day-to-day management.

I've recently discovered the power of mindfulness, and I'm a convert! 

Nowadays, I try to do one "mindful" activity daily, such as guided meditation, a walk with my dog, or a dip in the sea. 

Mindfulness and its benefits are hardly new, but I had reasons to be late to the party. As a chronic over-thinker, I assumed mindfulness meditation wouldn't work for me. My head has always been crowded and preoccupied, and it's too innate to be changeable. Or, at least, that's what I'd been telling myself. 

I'm a teacher at a primary school, and one of the training courses this year was "Developing Resilience and Practising Mindfulness with Children." (Yes, it's a bit of a mouthful). I went in with few expectations, but... Wow! 

I never expected to change my mind about something so quickly. I now have a better understanding of mindfulness and the fantastic benefits it can offer. 

Before the course started, we were asked to reflect on our "thinking styles." Looking back, I realise how often I fell victim to the "unhelpful thinking styles" we explored later in the class. Examining how I think and why has helped me see things in a new light. Mindfulness has changed how I view my asthma. 

The course was based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT techniques taught us to challenge our negative thoughts and biases for a better outlook. The class also taught us that unhelpful thought processes can become habitual. But, like any habit, you can break negative cycles and form better practices in their place. 

I've been practising these techniques ever since. My resilience and quality of life have improved - particularly with my asthma management. 

Today, I'd like to share three ways asthma has influenced my past actions -- and how mindfulness techniques have helped me change my attitude towards my asthma and improve my present. 

1. Asthma caused me to opt out of fun activities. Mindfulness got me back into them   

There have been many occasions when asthma has caused me to shy away from fun things to do. I like running, but it can cause an asthma flare-up. Bad experiences meant I was terrified of exercising in triggering conditions like cold weather. 

But when my asthma got really bad, I thought it would be safer to avoid running entirely - forever.

Of course, running with asthma is entirely possible as long as I prepare myself physically and emotionally. I can now run confidently as long as I keep up with my asthma control and treatment. 

In short, asthma attacks frightened me so much that I'd miss out on things that may trigger one. 

Mindfulness showed me that anxiety was not "just a fact of life" but a mental block I could move past. With my asthma under control, I can now enjoy many activities I'd previously written off. 

2. Asthma made me anxious about future attacks. Mindfulness guides me through my flare-ups

Having an asthma attack is always a frightening experience for me. In the past, I've found it very difficult to remain calm. Panic always fuels the fire with my attacks, and I can start hyperventilating. 

Better asthma and emotional control mean I don't react the same way now as I did when first diagnosed. Focusing on my breath and reminding myself how many attacks I've overcome can help. 

Of course, I'm never blasé about an attack (I think that's impossible). But instead of panicking and wasting my energy, mindfulness taught me to act quickly and without overthinking. Likewise, clear and positive thinking reassures me I'll make it through. 

3. Asthma caused me public embarrassment. Mindfulness made me see how kind people are  

Unfortunately, I don't get to choose when and where my asthma attacks happen. Ideally, they'd happen far away from anyone else! I don't like being the centre of attention, so any fuss from onlookers can worsen my symptoms. 

After a flare-up, I tortured myself with thoughts like, "Who saw me?" and "Did I make a scene?" This may seem like the least of my worries, but the anxiety was real. I became terrified of having an attack in public - which worsened my chances of a flare!

Asthma is nothing to be embarrassed about. But I'm a private person who gets overwhelmed by crowds or attention. How could I put a positive spin on being so vulnerable in public? 

And then I remembered the phrase, "The kindness of strangers." During an attack, many bystanders feel concerned and want to help. They don't want to make me feel bad – just better!

There is no right or wrong way to emotionally deal with an asthma attack, nor the aftermath. But mindfulness has shown me how draining catastrophising can be. I'm much more likely to move past an asthma attack if I put a more gentle and positive slant on matters. 

The takeaway 

Using mindfulness tools around my asthma attacks and "changing the narrative" makes a big difference in my life. I'm quicker to deal with flare-ups and less likely to shame spiral afterwards. 

Reminding myself to focus on "the now" frees up space in my mind to enjoy the moment. I will always be vigilant about my asthma. Thankfully, mindfulness has taught me to balance vigilance with positivity, serenity, and kindness.

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Date of preparation: August 2023
D: COB-GB-NP-00131 (V1.0) / T: COB-GB-NP-00148 (V1.0) / M: COB-GB-NP-00147 (V1.0)