Why Breathing Techniques Aren’t Always the Best Fix for Anxiety
When we feel anxious, a lot of people say, “Just take a deep breath.” But did you know that for some people, this advice might actually make anxiety worse? Breathing techniques are meant to help us calm down. But for up to 40% of people with anxiety , deep breathing can actually increase feelings like dizziness, tight chest, nausea, or even panic. That’s because anxiety often causes us to breathe too much , also known as hyperventilation . This means we’re taking in more oxygen than our body needs, which can make those uncomfortable symptoms even worse. Why Deep Breathing Doesn’t Always Work When you’re anxious, your body already starts to breathe faster and shallower. You might not even notice it. If you then try to take deep breaths, it can make you more focused on your body, and that can make your worry grow. You might notice your heartbeat, your breathing, or chest sensations more closely, and that awareness can actually increase anxiety. So, while breathing...