Shortness of breath during hot weather: Breathing Exercises to Improve Your Health

Breathing is an unconscious but essential part of life and is needed to inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Breathing correctly is important for the body to function properly and can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve concentration, and increase your energy.

Hot weather can be a challenge for many people, especially when it comes to breathing. The heat can cause shortness of breath and tightness of the chest, which can lead to stress and fatigue. Fortunately, breathing exercises can help reduce these symptoms. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of breathing exercises, the benefits of breathing exercises during hot weather, and provide tips for outdoor and indoor breathing exercises.

The basics of breathing exercises

The basics of breathing exercises are simple. They involve controlling and slowing down breathing to allow the body to inhale more oxygen. There are different types of breathing exercises people can do to improve breathing:

• Deep breathing is a simple technique involving breathing deeper than usual. This allows the lungs to receive more oxygen and reduces the heart rate. It can help you relax and reduce stress.
• Controlled breathing means consciously slowing down and lengthening your breathing. For example, you can do this by breathing in slowly and then breathing out slowly. This technique can help lower your heart rate and calm your mind.
• Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique where you breathe from your belly instead of your chest. You inhale deeply and first fill your belly with air, then your lungs. This exercise makes you use the diaphragm, a muscle under your lungs, more and makes your breathing more efficient. This technique can help reduce tension in your shoulders and neck.

Make sure you have the right posture when doing breathing exercises. If you do not sit or stand in the right posture, it can obstruct your breathing. Make sure you sit or stand straight, your shoulders are relaxed, and your back is straight.

Breathing exercises during hot weather

During hot weather, breathing can become more difficult because of the heat and humidity in the air. This can lead to shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, and fatigue. Doing breathing exercises can improve breathing and reduce symptoms of tightness and shortness of breath. Other benefits of breathing exercises in hot weather include:

• Reduction of stress: Breathing exercises can help reduce stress by reducing heart rate and blood pressure. This can help calm and relax the mind.
• Increased energy: Breathing correctly can help increase your energy by providing the body with more oxygen. This can help reduce fatigue and drowsiness.
• Improved focus and concentration: Breathing exercises can help improve focus and concentration by providing the brain with more oxygen and reducing mental distractions.

Outdoor and indoor breathing exercises

Breathing exercises are a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. While many people are used to doing these exercises indoors, there are also plenty of benefits to doing breathing exercises outdoors, where it might be cooler. Below are some suggestions:

• Walking meditation: Take some time to walk outside and focus on your breathing and the movement of your body as you walk. For example, you can walk along a path you planned or just go where your intuition takes you. This is a great way to relax your mind and enjoy nature.
• Yoga poses for breathing: Yoga is a great way to relax your body and work on deep breathing. Do your yoga exercises outside and enjoy the fresher air and nature. There are many yoga poses that focus on improving your breathing, such as the Cobra and the Downward Dog.
• Walking in nature: Go for a walk in nature and take time to take a deep breath and enjoy the surroundings. This will help you relax your mind and body and take in the benefits of being outdoors.

The best time to do breathing exercises outside is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it is less crowded and the quality of the air is better. It is also important to take precautions before going outside when it is hot, such as sunscreen and a hat, and carry enough water to avoid dehydration.

If the weather is too hot or you prefer to be inside, there are many ways to do breathing exercises indoors. Here are some ideas:

• Meditation: Sit comfortably in a quiet room and focus on your breathing. Try to clear your mind and think only about your breathing. This can help relax your mind and reduce stress.
• Visualisation techniques: These are great exercises to relax your mind and improve your breathing. Focus on a calming image, such as a beach or a forest, and breathe in and out deeply while holding the image in your mind.
• Relaxation techniques: there are many relaxation techniques to improve your breathing. For example, try progressive muscle relaxation, where you tighten and relax your muscles one by one while breathing deeply.

You can do indoor breathing exercises at any time of the day. However, choosing a quiet space where you will not be disturbed is important. It is recommended to exercise at a fixed time, such as early in the morning or late at night, to create a routine. You can put your phone on silent or aeroplane mode to avoid distractions.

Breathing exercises can therefore help reduce shortness of breath in hot weather and improve breathing. By doing breathing exercises, you can control and slow down your breathing, which can reduce stress and improve concentration and energy. By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, you can maintain these long-term benefits and develop a healthy breathing technique.

Moonbird has a preset programme specifically designed to guide you into a slower breathing rhythm, for relaxation and reduction of shortness of breath, among other things. You can try moonbird for free for 30 days to see how it works for you.

Enjoy a calm and relaxing summer!