Facing Up to Things

Originally, when I started karate, there was a heart condition to deal with.  Now there are possible mental health and chest related issues to worry about.  A recent incident brought these to a head (in the form of a panic attack), and now I've got a session to assess my mental health today and a spirometry test later in the month.   Should have guessed at the latter, having been a cigarette smoker for about 36 years before I gave them up 😔

I suppose I have been aware that might be issues for a while but have been somewhat in denial, but seeing the doctor a couple a weeks ago was the start of having to face up to things.   Karate has helped me to stay calm at times I otherwise wouldn't have and has improved my health greatly, but stamina isn't something that's improved as much as I would have liked, still getting short of breath when others don't.   And issues outside of the dojo will need to be faced as well.

Will probably be doing a lot of slow Kata today and deep breathing, but hopefully facing up to things will start here and work out. But it may take a while.