There is a right and a wrong way to do breathing exercises before starting the rest of your exercise program. Let\’s talk briefly about when and how to do them.

Breathing exercises are helpful if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Breathing exercises also can reduce symptoms caused by anxiety and stress. Anxiety and stress increase the heart and breathing rates, and increase the body\’s demand for oxygen. Learning to control your breathing rate is a big benefit. Breathing exercises can improve your performance during physical activity, as well. You may be asked to do breathing exercises before and after abdominal, heart, or lung surgery. The exercises help prevent pneumonia when you are not able to get up and move around easily.

So how should you do your breathing exercises?

A nurse or therapist can teach you the right way to do the breathing exercises. You will learn to focus on a particular area and not use your neck or shoulder muscles. You can exercise at home. Learning in front of a mirror is useful. You should try to do each exercise recommended by your health care provider 10 times a session, 3 or 4 times a day.