Why Do I feel Dizzy when I do Diaphragm Breathing?

Every so often, this question arises: I feel dizzy when I focus on breathing this way. Let's explore why this might happen

If you are consciously breathing deeper or more frequently than you're accustomed to (many people don’t realize how often they hold their breath), this alters the oxygen and carbon dioxide ratio in your blood. Like adapting to anything new, our bodies sometimes need time to adjust to this new stimulus. It’s important to gradually increase the depth of your breathing when starting.

Should you begin to feel dizzy, reduce the rate and depth of your breathing to something closer to your normal pattern until the dizziness subsides. Then, you can resume deep breathing, but with less intensity.

Here are some tips to improve your breathing technique:

1. Try Nasal Breathing: There are numerous benefits to breathing through the nose, including:
   • Increased oxygen uptake and better circulation.
   • Encouragement of slow, controlled diaphragmatic breaths.
   • Production of nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels and improves oxygen circulation in the body.
2. Exhale Through the Nose or with Pursed Lips: Both methods create a slower, controlled release of CO2.
3. Pause After Exhaling: This helps build up CO2, balancing the deep inhales we are practicing. As an added benefit, it aids in engaging our rest and digest nervous system.

If you’re new to mindful breathing or incorporating new techniques into your movement routine, remember, like any new skill in life, there's a learning curve. Always pay attention to your body's signals and progress slowly!

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Cheering you on ♥️
- Caroline Packard, DPT