Breathing Better
Breathing Techniques
Pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing are two simple techniques that will
help you get more oxygen into your lungs. These techniques will help you when you’re
short of breath by slowing your breathing down and decreasing the work of breathing.
Pursed-Lip Breathing
When you have COPD and other chronic lung diseases, your airways change. When you
breathe in, the airways widen to allow for the inflow of air. When you exhale with force,
the airways collapse, which traps stale air in the lungs. This air is low in oxygen and
high in carbon dioxide.
Pursed-lip breathing helps keep airways open longer. You can empty more trapped air
from the lungs and allow fresh air to come into them. With pursed-lip breathing, you
form a slight resistance at your mouth when you exhale. This causes a back-pressure to
occur in your airways, which helps keep those areas of collapse open.
This simple but effective technique will help you breathe better right away:
1. Start by relaxing the muscles in your neck and shoulders.
2. Slowly inhale through your nose.
3. Exhale slowly with your lips in a whistling position as if you are blowing on soup
or hot coffee.
4. Do not blow too hard or force the air out.
5. Do not puff out your cheeks.
Remember:
• You should always exhale 2 to 3 times longer than you inhale. By doing this, you will
empty your lungs as much as possible.
• Exhale as you exert yourself, usually during the difficult part of any activity. Don’t
ever hold your breath while exerting.
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