When you have difficulty breathing it causes anxiety, which in turn makes it even harder to breath. You end up in a vicious cycle that may seem to be never ending. As a result, you avoid the things you want to do, causing you to do less, this makes you lose energy, and your breathing problems worsen to the point where you eventually end up depressed and unable to enjoy life.

The good news is that you can stop the cycle and get back to the business of living if you learn a few techniques to help you control your breathing. There are two breathing exercises and techniques for COPD that can make it easier to get air into your lungs when you need it.

Pursed-Lips Breathing:

One of the breathing exercises and techniques for COPD helps to slow down your breathing and keep your airways open for longer. This allows the lungs to eliminate the old air that may have been trapped inside. When you perfect this technique you'll find that you can exercise or be active for longer and your oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release will improve.

  • Step 1: Take a 2 second breath in through your nose.
  • Step 2: Pucker your lips as if you're preparing to blow out a candle.
  • Step 3: Slowly breathe out through your pursed lips for about 4-6 seconds.
  • Step 4: Repeat.

Do this a few times and you'll notice your body will begin to feel energized because it's suddenly starting to get the oxygen it needs.

Abdominal Breathing:

Most people think that the lungs are the main instruments used for breathing but it's actually the diaphragm that does the bulk of the work. But if you have COPD, the diaphragm doesn't work as well. The neck, shoulders, and back muscles are not able to efficiently move the air when needed. Teaching your diaphragm to pick up some of the slack can help. This type of breathing is a little more challenging to master so you might need to get help from a respiratory professional until you can develop the skill.

  • Step 1: Relax your shoulders.
  • Step 2: Place one hand over your chest and the other hand over your stomach.
  • Step 3: Take a two second breath in through your nose.
  • Step 4: As the air breathes in, feel your belly move. Ideally, you want the belly to move more than your chest.
  • Step 5: Breathe out slowly through pursed lips. As you do so, gently press down on the belly to push your diaphragm up and force the air out.
  • Step 6: Repeat.

By practicing these breathing exercises and techniques for COPD you'll find that you do have the skills and the ability to get more air into your lungs when you need to. These may be difficult at first but as you get better at each one you should be able to see and feel your breathing improve. These exercises and techniques will not help you to get rid of your COPD but they should certainly make you feel better.