Pursed lips breathing: calm

Pursed-lips breathing is part of a group of controlled breathing techniques. If they are regularly practised and integrated into day-to-day activities, they will help us to deal with anxiety and breathlessness.

Being aware of five rules will enable us to understand and master effective breath control so that you can acquire a sense of normal breathing without respiratory distress:

1. The breath must be slow, smooth and gentle
2. The inhalation happens through the nose.
3. The exhalation occurs through the pursed lips.
4. The exhalation is longer than the inhalation.
5. The pace of the exercise is slow to promote respiratory control and comfort.

Besides being an active breath for stress relief and supporting breathlessness, Pursed lips breathing helps to strengthen the lungs and make them more efficient. It also conditions the diaphragm and the abdominal muscle area and makes them work better to get more oxygen in the body.