Coping with breathlessness

Everybody gets breathless at times. However, people who have lung conditions will get breathless more easily and it will probably take them longer to get their breath back. This can be frightening, and the anxiety experienced can in turn make the breathlessness worse. 

Breathing control techniques can help with breathlessness. Breathing control means breathing gently, using little effort and helps you return to a more controlled breathing pattern.  

Examples of breathing techniques include: 

• Relaxed, slow deep breathing: get into a comfortable, supported position, and relax your shoulders. Breathe in gently through your nose if you can and out through your mouth.  

• Pursed lips breathing: breathe in through your nose, then out through your mouth with your lips pursed as if you are whistling. Try to exhale for longer than you inhale. 

• Blow as you go: when doing an activity that takes a lot of effort, breath in first, then breath out while you are doing the activity e.g. reaching for something above you, or bending down 

• Paced breathing: Breathe in and out in time with the activity you are doing. This can be useful when climbing stairs or walking. E.g. you could breathe in on one step and breathe out on the next step. Do this in a rhythm which suits your activity and how you are feeling.