 Unfortunately, I have always been a bit afraid of roller coasters. The first time I had a bad experience was when I was a kid when I was basically forced by someone to get into one because they were sure I would enjoy it. Nothing further from the truth! I was scared to death before, during, and even after. The experience was not only psychological, but I also felt that my heart was about to give out. I learned that some people simply have more tolerance to the physical effects of speed, motion sickness, and vertigo. I just happen to be one of the ones that is more sensitive to these.
A couple of weeks ago I visited Universal Studios for the first time (Orlando) and I was having a lot of fun with my family. I thought that I should try to get over my fear and try a fast roller coaster again. This time, I decided to search the web (again) for tips on how to lessen the effects of roller coasters. I anxiously spent the 90 minute waiting line on the internet, and found out several tips that seemed to be helpful. It was time to get on the ride! My heart was pumping really fast, and I was very anxious about the experience. I had already read that the ride goes faster than 50 miles per hour, and that I would experience forward and backward launches, and sudden vertical falls. I started trying some of the tips, and they were not helping... suddenly, I one of them started working! The tip said that the best way to counteract that gut-wrenching feeling is simply joy-hollering your guts back in place. To my surprise, it started working! Even though it was still a bit unpleasant, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I actually enjoyed the ride. Granted, I was done for the rest of the day, but at least I now have the courage and an extra tool to combat that annoying feeling. Try it out next time! Carlos Bedoya
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One time I decided to search on the internet why do people get the hiccups... After a brief search, I found out that it is somehow related to breathing and the diaphragm (oversimplified). Before this, I had always tried to drink water backwards, or hope to be scared by someone at some point, but it never worked. So! after I read this, I decided to come up with my own solution. I tried different things until I found a solution that has worked for me 100% of the time! I call it the 3-minute sure solution to hiccups. All you need is a stopwatch and a place to sit up straight:
1) Take a couple of deep breaths in and out and make sure you slow down your breathing a bit. 2) Exhale all of your air out and then take a deep breath in and hold your breath for 40 seconds. At this moment, you may start the stopwatch. 3) At the 40 second mark, you can take a 10 second break in which you can prepare for a bigger breath in. 4) At the 50 second mark, hold your breath for 50 seconds (notice the 10 second increment). 5) This will take you to the 1:40 minute mark. At this moment, take 20 seconds to prepare for the last and biggest breath in. 6) At the 2:00 minute mark, hold your breath for 60 seconds (another 10 second increment). At the end of these 6 steps, you will find that your hiccups will be gone! (at least for me). Of course different people have different lung capacities, so you should find the numbers that work for you. These are pretty extreme for me (I find it hard to achieve), so you should find what this is like for you. In summary: Hold your breath for 40 seconds, rest for 10, hold for 50, rest for 20, and then hold for 60 seconds. I hope it helps! Carlos Bedoya |
AuthorCarlos Bedoya is a classical guitarist from Colombia, living in the US. Archives
June 2024
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