Blowing on Hot Soup

One of the most common things I hear from people with lung disease is some version of this: “I get short of breath… and then I panic.”

This is completely understandable. When breathing suddenly feels difficult, the body interprets it as a threat. Your brain essentially says something is wrong — do something fast. The heart rate goes up, breathing gets quicker, and anxiety joins the party.

Unfortunately, that reaction can actually make breathing feel even harder.

In Pulmonary Health Coaching, we spend time helping people interrupt that cycle.

One of the simplest ways to do that is with a technique called pursed-lip breathing. It’s something respiratory therapists have been teaching for decades, and it really can help people regain control of their breathing in the moment.

The idea is very simple.

Instead of breathing faster and faster when you feel short of breath, you slow the breath down and lengthen the exhale.

Here’s how it works:

Breathe in gently through your nose for about two seconds.Then purse your lips (like you’re blowing on hot soup) and breathe out slowly for about four seconds.

That longer exhale helps empty the lungs more completely and keeps the airways open a bit longer. For many people, within a minute or so the breathing begins to feel calmer and more manageable.

Another trick we often use is to practice this technique when you’re not short of breath. That way it becomes familiar, and it’s easier to use when you actually need it.

Living with lung disease means there will probably be moments when breathing feels harder than usual. But having a few simple tools can make those moments much less frightening.

Breathing techniques like this may seem almost too simple to matter, but I’ve watched them help many people feel more confident and in control.

Have you ever tried pursed-lip breathing when you were short of breath? If so, I’d love to hear how it worked for you.

See you next time.

Joelle