How to breathe when you are short of breath

Pursed lip breathing helps you use less energy to breathe. It can help you relax. When you are short of breath, it helps you slow the pace of your breathing and can help you feel less short of breath.

Use pursed lip breathing when you do things that make you short of breath:

  • Exercising
  • Bending
  • Lifting
  • Climbing stairs

You can practice pursed lip breathing anytime. Try to practice 4 or 5 times a day when:

  • You are watching TV.
  • You are using your computer.
  • You are reading a newspaper.

How to Do Pursed Lip Breathing

Relax the muscles in your neck and shoulders. Sit in a comfortable chair with your feet on the floor.

Do these steps in this order:

  1. Breathe in (inhale) slowly through your nose for 2 counts.
  2. Feel your belly get larger as you breathe in.
  3. Pucker your lips, as if you were going to whistle or blow out a candle.
  4. Breathe out (exhale) slowly through your lips for 4 or more counts.

Exhale normally. Do not force the air out. Do not hold your breath when you are doing pursed lip breathing. Repeat these steps until your breathing slows.

Alternate Names

Pursed lip breathing

Update Date: 5/29/2012

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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