Does anyone else have a bad habit of holding their breathe?

[Gina10]

I always catch myself holding my breathe and then focus on breathing.

[Kia302017]

Yes all the time

[Gina10 in reply to Kia302017]

Do you do anything to stop?

[Kia302017 in reply to Gina10]

Yes i try not focus on it and relax and breath

[Agora1]

Hi Gina10, Holding our breathe is a common side symptom of anxiety. It's one of the reasons we end up getting other symptoms that feed on this habit.

I have replaced it with "deep breathing". That is my "go to" everyday. It comes so automatic to me now that it has allowed me to do all the things I use to fear. Deep breathing as well as meditation are free and easily accessible. And yet, so many of us use all our energies in fighting the feelings we experience. My best, Agora1

[Hidden]

Ha! Yep!

[Hidden]

i have been reading some of your post and i just wanted to let you know i feel the same. and when i try to focus on my breathing in public it can get that bad i have to leave because i am scared people are watching me and think they're saying what is she doing she is so weird. not long ago i toughed it out and decided to get my hair done and whilst i was waiting at the front i started sweating and couldn't breath properly and i was fighting with my brain saying don't leave you can do this over and over in my head and i finally got to sit my chair and tried explaining what i wanted done with my hair and i eventually stop sweating i think but i was still so anxious that i had to ask to sit in the waxing room alone whilst my hair would set because it was so packed with people i couldn't handle it, i know i would of cried like an idiot if i stayed. and when i was getting my hair color washed out i couldn't handle the person massaging my head it was so uncomfortable what she was doing but it felt nice. i don't get it i feel like im losing it. i want to be comfortable when i go places and talk to people. so annoying.