Hospice And Palliative Care – Relaxation BreathingSECTION: 23.09

Strength of Evidence Level: 3__RN__LPN/LVN__HHA

PURPOSE:

To provide instructions on utilizing breathing to reduce stress.

CONSIDERATIONS:

  1. Proper breathing technique brings in necessary oxygen to the body and gets rid of carbon dioxide.
  2. When we become stressed we being to breathe improperly.
  3. Good breathing habits can promote physical and psychological well-being.
  4. Deep breathing is effective to relieve tension, promote relaxation and relieve pain.
  5. Tension, anxiety and stress are associated with improper breathing.
  6. Abdominal breathing is deep breathing that brings in a large volume of oxygen.
  7. High chest breathing, associated with stress, decreases the amount of oxygen your body takes in, and the amount carbon dioxide your body expels.

EQUIPMENT:

All you need is your body and a quiet place to sit

PROCEDURE:

Assess your Breathing style

  1. Pay attention to your breathing style.
  2. Assume a comfortable position, either sitting or lying.
  3. Place your right hand on our abdomen at the waistline.
  4. Place your left hand at the center of your chest.
  5. Pay attention to which hand rises the most when you inhale and exhale.
  6. If your left hand moves more, you are breathing improperly and you need to switch to abdominal breathing.

Switch to Abdominal Breathing

  1. To switch to abdominal breathing lie down with your legs straight, slightly apart, and toes turned outward.
  2. Extend your arms away from your body with palms up.
  3. Place your right hand on your abdomen and left hand on your chest.
  4. Inhale deeply allowing your abdomen to expand. Move your lower hand outward.
  5. Once your abdomen is extended then allow your chest to fill with air causing the upper hand to extend.
  6. Hold the breathe in for a few seconds.
  7. Slowly exhale this breathe through your mouth making a swooshing sound as the air leaves your body.
  8. Repeat this several times to focus on your breathing.

Relaxation Variations

  1. With each inhalation, imagine white air and relaxation coming into your body.
  2. With each exhalation, imagine black air and stress coming out of your body.
  3. Try counting your breaths with each exhalation.
  4. Relaxation breathing can be done several times a day to focus the mind and enhance the effectiveness of medication.

REFERENCES:

Complimentary Therapies Relaxation Breathing

Hospice Teaching Tool

Home Nursing Agency Healthcare