Post Covid Breathing Exercises

Post covid breathing exercises

The coronavirus pandemic has had a major effect on our breathing, leaving many people with breathing problems and difficulties long after they have recovered from the virus. Post COVID-19 breathing issues can include shortness of breath, chest tightness, difficulty inhaling and exhaling, and fatigue. Breathwork can help to address these problems, allowing people to regain their normal breathing patterns and improve their respiratory health. Breathwork can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall wellbeing, making it an invaluable tool in the fight against post-COVID-19 breathing problems.

Below are two breathing exercises that if followed as instructed will significantly help in your recovery from Covid breathing difficulties.

Whilst doing the exercises make sure that you do Nose Breathing only, as:

there is up to 20% more oxygen uptake in blood than mouth breathing
brings in nitric oxide which is a vasodilator and inhibits bacteria and viruses
helps with nasal congestion
performs at least 30 functions on behalf of body.

Wishing you a speedy recovery

Breathe well! Live well!

EXERCISES 1- Resonant Breathing

Inhale slowly through nose for 3 seconds
Exhale slowly through nose for 3 seconds
If comfortable with above increase up to 5 seconds
As you breathe in feel lower ribs gently moving outwards
As you breathe out feel lower ribs gently moving inwards
Do this exercise for 5 mins 5 times day

No big hefty breaths – contrary to belief it reduces oxygen supply and constricts airways.....breath slowly and gently inviting air into diaphragm

EXERCISE 2 - Breath Recovery Exercise

Try to do exercise for 10 minutes every hour or as often as practical.
Breath gently in and out through nose
Hold nose with fingers for 2-5 seconds
Breath normally for 10-15 seconds
Between breath holds breathe gently and slowly to optimise amount of air that reaches small air sacs in lungs, which allows more oxygen to reach blood
Start breath holds at 2 seconds and only increase up to 5 seconds if feels ok