Shallow and rapid chest breathing is a part of our response to stress, which can, in turn, prolongs anxiety and stress. When we are stressed, our body functions in the cortisol driven sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ mode thereby making us take short sharp breaths to help prepare us for the upcoming ‘fight’. In other words, we Hyperventilate.

 

When we hyperventilate, the body starts drawing more air into the lungs than the required level. This leads to more oxygen into the bloodstream than the body can cope with.
 

As a result of breathing out very fast, more than the usual amount of carbon dioxide is washed out of the bloodstream, causing a pH imbalance.
 

More oxygen and less carbon dioxide produces anxiety and other physical and mental symptoms, creating a vicious cycle in which our stress level further escalates.

 

What counteracts this Stress Cycle?

 

Stress can be reduced by consciously engaging the Diaphragm for Breathing.
 

Diaphragm Breathing relaxex the nervous system and encourages the Body to relax... by activating the Parasympatheic response.