I would like to say that it was because my diabetes diagnosis came as a total surprise, but that is not the case. I acknowledge that my lifestyle as of then had not been the healthiest. This sense of shock was different. It was triggered, first, by my realization that I had ignored certain symptoms all the way along. For example, feeling tired all of the time, or my increased sensitivity to hot weather. 

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On the other hand, the fact that I was now a diabetic spurred a cavalcade of reflections. I had to deal with the fact that I was now a diabetic. What did that mean? What can I eat, and do, and what am I better off avoiding? I also questioned whether there was anything I could do to help myself.

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Unfortunately, getting support through the conventional routes did not prove beneficial. Even within the NHS, I found contradictory approaches. One practitioner’s advice would be refuted by another, and no specialist seemed to have a solid solution to my situation. All of this combined was a tremendous source of stress.

Finding mindfulness

My experience navigating the healthcare system left me with one conclusion: There is no uniform approach to managing diabetes. I would have specialists literally tell me to go and check out a book or look for advice on the Internet. This stirred in me a feeling of helplessness, and I experienced bouts of anxiety, which were further exacerbated by the pandemic, which was starting to make its way to the UK and generate increased uncertainty and fear. 

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Yet, looking back, it was this that led me to the place where I needed to be. 

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To cope with everything, I decided to take a mindfulness course. I needed to focus on controlling what I could control, and to be able to let go of the rest. Incorporating a breathing practice that allowed me to handle my emotions and calm myself at will was a great place to start. Little did I know that I was building the foundations for a new life, and about to embark on a journey in which what I was learning would not only impact me, but many other people. 

A breathing coach in my pocket

As I began to embrace mindfulness and reconnect with my breathing, I noticed my anxiety levels gradually diminish. I was able to be more present, and to fully soak in the moment at hand instead of worrying about what would happen next. If I can get through this one moment at a time, I thought, I can overcome this. 

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It was then that I discovered The Breathing App. 

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Developed by Dr. Nick Heath and yoga practitioner Eddie Stern, it is, essentially, like having a breathing coach in our pocket. And what I especially liked about it was that it was not only a generic breathing course, but it was something that was focused on diabetics. The exercises targeted people like me, and were designed to help us enhance our holistic wellness. Through guided practices like resonance breathing, single nostril breathing, and The Humming Bee breath, I was able to build upon the foundations I was already developing, and strengthen my grip on how I was dealing with the situation. 

Full circle

Everything I was learning, to me, was nothing short of miraculous. I reminisced how dire my situation had seemed not too long ago, and the better I felt, the more I wanted to share the knowledge I had gained with others. I often pondered about how, surely, there were many people like me who were also feeling frazzled and overwhelmed due to a recent diagnosis or another stressful event. 

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As a result, I decided to become a coach. 

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My philosophy is that if we can bring a more mindful approach to things, we can sort through any problem. In my case, breathing, pausing, and being mindful of the present moment were key for me to let go of all the emotions that were hindering my transformation. I was able to release the guilt I felt for not having made better lifestyle choices, and the notion that I had failed in some way. Letting go of any self-imposed stigma is critical if we want to move forward.

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It has been almost five years since that pivotal moment. And all I can say is, my story came full circle, one breath at a time.