Here are some breathing techniques that can help you manage your breath when you're moving, lifting things or exerting yourself in another way. Try all of them and see which one works best for you. Practice them regularly so that they become a habit when you move.
The first technique we're going to talk about is the 'Blow as you go' breathing technique. This is where you breathe in before you make the effort and you breathe out whilst you're making the effort.
An example could be when you're using the stairs. So when standing up, breathe in before you step up and then blow out as you step up. If you find the stairs too difficult to go up all at once, you can go a few steps at a time. If it helps, you can also lean into a wall or the banister as you recover your breathing. As your breathing recovers, you can start again.
This is where you breathe in gently through your nose, then you purse your lips as though you're going to blow out a candle. Blow the air out of your lungs with your lips in this pursed position. You breathe the air out only for as long as is comfortable and you don't force your lungs to empty. This is a technique that can help you when you're doing lots of different things, whether you're moving around or carrying items or lifting things.
Another technique is the 'Paced breathing technique'. Paced breathing is when you count to yourself as you walk or move. You can use it at the same time as the pursed lips breathing and blow as you go techniques to help control your breath. As you're moving, breathe in for one step and then take either one or two steps as you breathe out.
You can take more steps as you breathe in or as you breathe out if it feels better for you, like two steps in, two steps out. Try different combinations to find out what works best for you.
We hope you found these breathing techniques useful. You may also want to check out our other video about getting your breath back.
If you'd like to learn more about breathlessness, you can read more on our website.
This video is three minutes and five seconds long and includes:
- practical demonstrations of breathing techniques you can use to manage your breathing when you’re active, such as Blow as you go, Pursed lips breathing and Paced breathing.
Try them all and see which one works best for you and practice them regularly so they become a habit when you move.