How to Breathe Through the Chest

Properly breathing through your chest is an effective way to reduce anxiety.

Chest breathing is a matter of common sense. Humans instinctively know how to breathe through their chests, but proper chest breathing is a technique that must be learned. Mastering proper chest breathing is a useful thing, especially if you are prone to anxiety or panic attacks. Luckily, like any breathing, it is not rocket science and can be quickly learned with little effort, in a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Concentration
• Patience

Instructions

1. Place one hand on your abdomen, the area between your chest and thigh. Keep an eye on your stomach, as it should expand when you inhale.

2. Take a slow, deep breath. Your chest should not move much. Instead, your stomach should expand as the air flows into your body.

3. Slowly exhale. It may help if you imagine all the air flowing out of your body when you let it escape from your mouth.

4. Do not rush. You should see your stomach rising and falling smoothly. Do not strain or force yourself while inhaling or exhaling.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, stop the exercise immediately and try again when you feel better.

References

• Unique Articles: How to Breathe Through Your Next Panic Attack

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish