Breathing exercises for breathlessness

Techniques taught in pulmonary rehab to ease the work of breathing.

Breathing out through narrowed lips creates a small back-pressure in the airways. In people with COPD and some other lung conditions, that back-pressure helps keep floppy airways open long enough to actually empty the lungs, which reduces the trapped air behind the feeling of breathlessness.

It is one of the first things taught in pulmonary rehabilitation, and it is also useful for anyone who gets breathless with exertion or with anxiety — which are harder to tell apart in the moment than you would expect.

The trick is to use it while moving, not only while sitting. Breathe in before the effort — standing up, lifting, climbing stairs — and breathe out through pursed lips during the effort itself.

Start with

Pursed-Lip Breathing

The technique itself, as taught in pulmonary rehab. Two seconds in through the nose, four to six out through pursed lips, without forcing the air.

Start 4-minute session

Or read how it works first.

Before you start

Sudden or severe breathlessness, chest pain, blue lips or confusion are medical emergencies — call your local emergency number rather than doing a breathing exercise. If you have a diagnosed lung condition, ask your respiratory team or physiotherapist to check your technique; this site is general information, not a rehabilitation programme.