If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), certain breathing techniques can help you breathe easier when you’re exercising.
Breathing techniques can help you manage your breathing when you feel short of breath. The two main breathing techniques are:
- Pursed lip breathing
Pursed lip breathing slows down your breathing and helps keep your airways open longer. This helps more air move in and out of your lungs. Click here for a video tutorial on pursed lip breathing: [Video Link]
- Belly breathing
Belly breathing (also called diaphragm breathing) is when you take deep breaths from your belly while sitting or lying down. You focus on your belly rising as you breathe in and falling as you breathe out. Click here for a video tutorial on belly breathing: [Video Link]
The COPD Foundation also has this helpful video about these breathing techniques: [Video Link]
It may take some time to get used to these breathing techniques. It can be helpful to practice them when you’re not exercising first. Once you’re comfortable using them, you can try them when you feel short of breath.
There are a lot of resources out there to help you get started with breathing techniques. You can read more about breathing techniques on the American Lung Association’s website: [Website Link].
Breathing techniques help keep your breathing under control so you can meet your exercise goals!
