5 COPD Breathing Exercises to Manage Shortness of Breath

That feeling when you can't catch your breath. Like there's an elephant sitting on your chest. Like you're a fish out of water, gasping. If you have COPD, you know this feeling too well.

Here's what matters: breathing exercises can help. Not as a cure, but as real tools that make breathing easier when it's hard. They work by strengthening the muscles you use to breathe and helping you get more air with less effort.

This isn't about complicated medical treatments. These are simple techniques you can learn at home and use whenever you need them—before climbing stairs, during a flare-up, or just to get through your daily routine without running out of breath.

Why Breathing Exercises Help with COPD

When you have COPD, your lungs don't work the way they used to. Air gets trapped inside, making it harder to breathe out fully and even harder to breathe in fresh air. Over time, this changes how you breathe. Instead of using your diaphragm (the large muscle below your lungs that's supposed to do most of the breathing work), you start relying on the smaller muscles in your neck, shoulders, and back. These muscles aren't built for the job, which is why breathing feels exhausting.

Breathing exercises help reverse this pattern. According to the American Lung Association, techniques like pursed-lip breathing and belly breathing can make your lungs more efficient by retraining your body to use the right muscles. Think of it like physical therapy for your breathing—the more you practice, the stronger these muscles become.

Research backs this up. A Cochrane review found that people with COPD who practiced breathing exercises for four to 15 weeks improved their exercise capacity compared to those who didn't practice. While the research shows mixed results for reducing shortness of breath or improving overall quality of life, many people find these exercises genuinely helpful for getting through daily activities and staying calmer during breathing difficulties.

The benefits include getting more oxygen into your lungs, reducing the work it takes to breathe, releasing trapped air, helping you feel less anxious when you're short of breath, and making it easier to stay active. You won't see results overnight, but with consistent practice over several weeks, most people notice they can do more without getting as winded.

5 COPD Breathing Exercises to Try

1. Pursed-Lip Breathing

This is usually the first technique respiratory therapists teach, and for good reason. Pursed-lip breathing keeps your airways open longer, which helps you get rid of trapped air and brings in more fresh oxygen. It also slows down your breathing, which can calm anxiety during episodes of shortness of breath.

Here's how to do it: Start by breathing in slowly through your nose with your mouth closed for about two seconds. You don't need to take a huge breath—just a normal inhale. Next, pucker or purse your lips like you're about to whistle or blow out birthday candles. Then breathe out slowly through your pursed lips for four seconds, making a quiet hissing sound as the air leaves. Try to breathe out for twice as long as you breathed in.

You should practice this technique four to five times every day until it becomes automatic. Use pursed-lip breathing before you start any physical activity, like walking to the mailbox or climbing stairs. You can also use it during activities when you start to feel winded, and especially during moments when you feel short of breath or anxious. The COPD Foundation notes that this simple technique is one of the most effective tools for managing breathlessness.

2. Diaphragmatic Breathing (Belly Breathing)

Your diaphragm is supposed to do about 80 percent of the work when you breathe. But when you have COPD, trapped air pushes on your diaphragm and weakens it over time. Diaphragmatic breathing helps retrain this crucial muscle to work more effectively.

Start by lying on your back on a flat surface with your knees bent. You can put a pillow under your knees for support. Place one hand on your belly, just below your ribs, and put your other hand on the middle of your chest. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, focusing on making your belly rise while your chest stays relatively still. The hand on your stomach should move up as you inhale. Then, breathe out slowly through pursed lips while gently pressing the hand on your belly inward and upward. This helps push more air out of your lungs.

If you're doing it right, your stomach should move more than your chest. Don't worry if this feels awkward at first—it takes practice. According to UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center, this technique takes time to master and you may tire easily when you start. Begin with five to 10 minutes of practice, three or four times a day, and gradually build up as it becomes easier.

Once you're comfortable with the technique, you can use diaphragmatic breathing during daily activities like taking long walks, climbing stairs, or any time you need extra breathing support.

3. Deep Breathing

Deep breathing prevents air from getting trapped in your lungs, which is one of the main reasons you feel short of breath with COPD. When you take deeper breaths, you bring in more fresh air and help clear out the stale air that tends to get stuck.

Here's the technique: Sit or stand in a comfortable position with your elbows positioned slightly back. This posture allows your chest to expand more fully. Take a deep breath in through your nose and hold it for as long as you can—aim for a count of five if possible. Then let the air out slowly through your nose (or through pursed lips if that feels better) and finish with a strong cough. The cough helps clear any mucus from your airways.

Deep breathing works best when combined with your other daily breathing exercises. Try doing it for 10 minutes at a time, three to four times per day. Some people use an incentive spirometer (a device your doctor might give you) to help guide their deep breathing practice, but it's not required.

4. Huff Cough

When you have COPD, mucus builds up more easily in your lungs. Regular coughing can clear it out, but traditional coughing is exhausting and can leave you feeling worn out. The huff cough is designed to help you cough up mucus effectively without using as much energy.

Sit in a comfortable position and take a breath in through your mouth that's slightly deeper than a normal breath—but not a huge gulp of air. Then, activate your stomach muscles and blow the air out in three short, even bursts while making the sounds "ha, ha, ha." Picture yourself breathing onto a mirror to make it steam up—that's the kind of force you're aiming for.

According to Healthline, a huff cough should feel much less tiring than a traditional cough. Use this technique whenever you need to clear mucus from your lungs, especially in the morning when mucus tends to accumulate overnight.

5. Coordinated Breathing

Feeling short of breath can make you anxious, and anxiety often makes you hold your breath without realizing it. This creates a vicious cycle that makes breathing even harder. Coordinated breathing helps you stay in control of your breathing, especially during physical activities or when you start to feel panicked.

The technique is simple: Before you begin any exercise or exertion, breathe in through your nose. Then, during the hardest part of the activity, purse your lips and breathe out through your mouth. For example, if you're doing a bicep curl, breathe in before you start, then breathe out through pursed lips as you lift the weight. If you're standing up from a chair, breathe in while you're sitting, then breathe out as you push yourself up.

You can use coordinated breathing during any physical activity—vacuuming, getting dressed, walking, lifting objects, or exercising. It's also helpful when you're feeling anxious or when shortness of breath starts to creep in during everyday tasks.

Tips for Practicing COPD Breathing Exercises

The most important rule: practice these techniques when you're breathing normally, not during an attack. You want the movements to become automatic so they're easy to use when you really need them. According to respiratory therapist Mark Courtney at the American Lung Association, "You don't want to first try these exercises when you're short of breath. You want to try them when you're breathing OK, and then later on when you're more comfortable, you can use them when you're short of breath."

Start small. Begin with just five minutes of practice and gradually work your way up to 10 minutes at a time. Practice three to four times throughout the day—maybe once in the morning, once at lunch, once in the afternoon, and once before bed. Tie your practice to daily routines so you don't forget. Some people practice while watching their morning news, others do it right before meals.

Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you can focus. Sit in a supportive chair or lie down on a flat surface, depending on which exercise you're doing. Keep your practice space consistent so your body starts to associate that spot with relaxation and breathing work.

Be patient with yourself. These techniques feel strange at first, and some (especially diaphragmatic breathing) take longer to master than others. You might feel awkward or even a bit more tired when you start practicing. That's normal. Most people begin to notice real improvements after several weeks of consistent practice—more energy, less breathlessness during activities, and greater confidence in managing their symptoms.

Keep track of your practice and notice the small improvements over time. Can you walk a little farther before getting winded? Do you feel less panicked when shortness of breath hits? These are signs the exercises are working.

When to Use Each Breathing Exercise

Different breathing exercises work better at different times. Pursed-lip breathing is your go-to technique before any physical activity—use it before you climb stairs, walk to the car, or start any task that typically leaves you breathless. You can also use it during activities when you start to feel winded, and it's especially helpful during acute episodes of shortness of breath.

Diaphragmatic breathing works best as a daily maintenance exercise. Practice it several times a day to strengthen your diaphragm over time. Once you're comfortable with the technique, you can also use it during activities like taking long walks or doing light exercise.

Deep breathing is excellent for morning practice and for preventing air from getting trapped in your lungs throughout the day. Combine it with your other breathing exercises during your regular practice sessions. The huff cough should be used whenever you need to clear mucus, especially first thing in the morning or after you've been sitting still for a while.

Coordinated breathing is specifically designed for exertion. Use it during any physical activity, from household chores to exercise, and especially when you feel anxiety starting to make you hold your breath.

Safety Considerations and When to Get Help

Before you start any breathing exercise program, talk to your doctor or respiratory therapist. They can show you the proper technique and let you know if any modifications might help based on your specific condition. This is especially important if you've recently had a change in medications or if your COPD symptoms have gotten worse.

While practicing, balance exercise with rest. If you feel very tired, start at a lower level or take a break and try again the next day. It's also important to wait at least an hour and a half after eating before beginning your breathing exercises—a full stomach can make breathing practice uncomfortable.

Pay attention to warning signs that mean you should stop and rest. According to WebMD, you should stop exercising if you experience severe shortness of breath that doesn't improve with your breathing techniques, chest pain or pressure, dizziness or lightheadedness, irregular heartbeat, or extreme fatigue.

If you continue to feel very short of breath even after using your breathing exercises and rescue inhaler, call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. Breathing exercises are tools to help manage your symptoms—they're not a replacement for emergency care when you need it.

It's also worth understanding that breathing exercises work best as part of a comprehensive COPD management plan. They're not a substitute for pulmonary rehabilitation, which is a structured program that combines breathing exercises with physical exercise training, education, nutritional guidance, and support. Research shows that pulmonary rehabilitation programs provide the most benefit for improving symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life in people with COPD. If you don't have access to a pulmonary rehab program, breathing exercises are a valuable tool on their own, but they work even better when combined with full rehabilitation services.

How a Solace Advocate Can Help

When you're managing COPD, breathing exercises are just one piece of a complicated puzzle. A Solace advocate helps with everything else that makes breathing techniques actually work in your life.

Your advocate can coordinate with your pulmonary rehab team to make sure everyone knows which exercises help you most. They can track your breathing patterns and symptoms over time to identify what's working and what needs adjustment. When you have doctor's appointments coming up, your advocate helps you prepare questions about new breathing techniques, worsening symptoms, or concerns about your current treatment plan.

If your doctor recommends pulmonary rehabilitation but you're having trouble getting a referral, your advocate follows up to make sure it happens. They handle the insurance questions about pulmonary rehab coverage, oxygen therapy, or respiratory equipment like nebulizers or incentive spirometers. When your breathing changes—whether it's getting better or worse—your advocate makes sure your entire care team stays informed so they can adjust your treatment accordingly.

A lot of COPD management happens across multiple providers. You might see your primary care doctor, a pulmonologist, a respiratory therapist, and specialists for other conditions. Your Solace advocate serves as the single point of contact between all these providers, making sure they're all working together rather than in separate silos. They ensure your medications, oxygen therapy, and breathing exercises all work together as a coordinated plan.

You focus on your breathing. Your advocate focuses on making sure the system supports you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breathing Exercises for COPD

How long does it take for COPD breathing exercises to work?

Most people start noticing benefits after several weeks of consistent practice—usually around four to six weeks. You might feel like the exercises are easier to do within the first couple weeks, but the real improvements in daily activities and exercise capacity typically show up after a month or more of regular practice. The key is consistency: practicing 5-10 minutes, 3-4 times daily gives you the best results.

Can breathing exercises replace my COPD medications?

No, breathing exercises should not replace your medications. They work best as part of your overall COPD treatment plan, alongside your prescribed medications, inhalers, and any other therapies your doctor recommends. Think of breathing exercises as an additional tool in your toolkit, not a substitute for medical treatment. Always continue taking your medications as prescribed unless your doctor specifically tells you to change or stop them.

Should I do breathing exercises every day?

Yes, daily practice is ideal. The more regularly you practice, the more natural these techniques become, and the easier they'll be to use when you really need them during a flare-up or episode of shortness of breath. Aim for 3-4 practice sessions spread throughout your day. On days when you're feeling particularly tired or unwell, it's okay to reduce the duration or intensity, but try to practice at least once to maintain the habit.

What if the exercises make me more short of breath?

If breathing exercises make you feel more short of breath, you might be doing them too intensely or not quite correctly. Stop and rest, then try again more gently. Focus especially on the exhale—breathing out slowly and completely is often more important than breathing in deeply. If you continue to have trouble, ask your doctor or respiratory therapist to watch you perform the exercises to make sure your technique is correct. Some people find that certain exercises (particularly diaphragmatic breathing) can increase breathlessness at first until the muscles adapt, but this should improve with practice.

Do I need special equipment for COPD breathing exercises?

No special equipment is required for the five breathing exercises covered in this article. All you need is a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Some people find a small pillow helpful for supporting their knees during diaphragmatic breathing, but that's optional. Your doctor might give you an incentive spirometer to use with deep breathing exercises, but even that's not necessary—you can practice deep breathing effectively without one.

Related Reading

• What Are the 4 Stages of COPD?
• COPD Life Expectancy: What to Expect, Treatment Options, & Where to Find Support
• Does Medicare Cover Oxygen for COPD?
• COPD Action Plans: What They Are and How Medicare Coverage Can Affect Them
• How Patient Advocates Help Manage COPD Care Coordination

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