Performing deep breathing exercises has many benefits, including helping with stress and anxiety, reducing your blood pressure and heart rate, and clearing mucus from the lungs.
Our team from Geelong Physiotherapy have put together a step by step guide on how to best perform deep breathing exercises.
- Sit on a comfortable chair, with one hand over your upper belly
- Keep your upper chest and shoulders relaxed
- Slowly breathe in through your nose, aiming to fill up your lower lungs so you should feel your belly rise under your hand
- Slowly breathe out through your mouth with your lips pursed
- Perform five of these breaths to times to complete one cycle
- Breathe normally for a total of five breaths and commence the cycle again
- Continue cycles for three to five minutes
If your lungs feel “rattly” or you are having trouble clearing mucus from the lungs, add in the following steps after each cycle:
- Perform two ‘huffs’ (forceful breath into your palm as if fogging up a mirror or reading glasses)
- Cough (if a cough has not already been stimulated by the huff)
Performing these exercises on a daily basis is recommended. If you continue to experience anxiety, shortness of breath, difficulty clearing any possible mucus, speak to your GP.
Please note: if you have a pre-existing lung or heart condition please consult your specialist, GP or physiotherapist prior to performing these exercises.
