Stress and anxiety can make breathing harder. When it’s hard to breathe, it’s natural to get anxious and start to panic. This makes you even more short of breath. This sequence is known as the dyspnea cycle, and it’s common among people with chronic lung disease. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you are feeling. It's important for him or her to understand what is going on and how it is affecting your life. Breathing training and coping strategies can help you manage stress and anxiety.
When you’re short of breath, your breathing muscles get tense. It’s hard to take a deep breath. You may worry that you’re not getting enough air. Then you start breathing faster and become more short of breath. You may even start to panic, which makes symptoms seem worse. Often, people with chronic lung disease try to prevent this cycle. They limit their activity, stay at home, and don't do anything that could cause shortness of breath. You don’t have to live this way.
Certain activities can help you relax. These can include reading a good book, listening to music or relaxation tapes, practicing yoga or tai chi, meditating, and praying. Find activities that work for you.
Try visualization. Picture yourself in a peaceful place, such as the beach. Feel the warm sand. Hear the waves. Smell the ocean. Doing this may help you feel more relaxed.
Your healthcare provider may advise using a bronchodilator along with these or other relaxation methods.
Right now. Learn to stop an attack with pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and relaxation methods. If you don’t know how to do these, ask your healthcare provider.
In day-to-day life. Learn to maximize your energy and to breathe during activity, so you can do more.
Over time. Start exercising, so your body can start to handle more activity.