Does anyone else stop taking deep breaths when stressed or anxious?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

I don't mean having panic attacks where you feel you can't breathe - that must be very frightening. I mean more like when under long term stress (as we all are now!) can anyone relate to falling into a pattern of running on shallow breaths?

It feels like every now and again I have to remind myself to take a deep breath which feels nice but then I 'forget' again This isn't new for me either, pretty sure I always breathe this way when stressed.

Anyone else have similar?

All the time. Shallow breathing at the top of my chest. I have to remind myself to take deep breaths.

Yes absolutely this!

I keep thinking I'm struggling to breath then realise I'm actually holding my breath.

You can train yourself to adapt your breathing if you work on it long-term. Practise breathing consciously every hour or so for a minute. You'll change your habits if you do it often enough.

Yes. I think it's a normal response to being in a stress/threatened state. That's why so much emphasis goes on teaching people who are managing anxiety how to breathe properly and notice when they're not.

Every time you notice and make yourself breathe deeply you're breaking that pattern of running on shallow breaths.

Yes I do. Thought it was just me. Wonder. if it's us trying to shut out whatever it is we are anxious about.

I think that’s a fairly standard physical response to anxiety or stress. It works the other way around too - if your breath is quick and shallow it can make you feel anxious. Take slow, deep breaths - sending the breath into the belly - breathe in for a count of 3 and out for 4 - this will help you to feel calmer (am a yoga teacher).

Yepppp, I do this and probably once an hour or so I think, oh I'm not breathing right and adjust. As littlepeas said, yoga breathing is a godsend.

Breathe out deeply when it happens.

Yes, always.

Yes. I also hold my breath for some reason.

Yes! and then I find it hard to take a deep one. Such a relief when one goes down. It's how I'm feeling all the time ATM

Funnily enough I've googled "stopping breathing during the day". Its almost like sleep apnea but during the day. I suddenly realise I'm not breathing.

Glad it's not just me, but I don't know what the answer is.

Yes, and my tongue presses itself to the top of my mouth making my jaw and neck tense too.

Yes I do this all the time. Sometimes I know I'm doing but still can't seem to find the energy to take a deep breath.

I do. I shallow breathe to the point that I purge my body of CO2 and get the weird numb and cramping hands (called tetany). It no longer sends me into a panic attack and instead prompts me to do some good, deep breaths.

Yes. Fairly often I go light headed and spinny because I'm not breathing deeply enough - head down and a few deep breaths sorts it out. It does make me wonder though - as an evolutionary strategy it seems like a rubbish response to stress. I'd probably faint and be eaten by a predator in early times!

I think it's to do with more of the muscles in the torso and upper body tensing with the stress, instead of being tall and upright, posture becomes hunched, the upper back bends forward reducing lung capacity and it's not until you realise it's happening that you notice how shallow your breathing has become.

All the time!!! A lot of people at work say they do this as well so definitely think it's stress related i.e. being busy and just sort of forgetting to breathe!

I deep breath at night to help myself drop off it is so relaxing, I can feel it reaching my stomach and out. I must try it in the day, I certainly could do with it.