Breathing Pattern Awareness

Diaphragmatic breathing is a very important component of relaxation when done slowly, deeply, and evenly.

Chest breathing is a sign of stress, often done in emergency situations or during emotional changes.

Recognizing changes in the breathing pattern due to emotional changes, overexertion, or bronchospasm can help manage your respiratory condition more easily.

Breathing changes you may notice:

• frequent sighs
• shallow breathing
• muscle tension in the stomach
• jerky shoulder area
• irregular breathing
• faster breathing

If you can get your breathing into a deep and rhythmical pattern, it will greatly assist you with relaxation.

• Imagine your abdomen and lungs like a bottle that fills up from the bottom as you breathe in and empties from the top as you breathe out.
• The work of breathing is inhaling and the relaxation phase is exhaling.
• Try to eliminate any pauses, jerks or hesitations in the breathing pattern.