Breathing Exercise 2: How to cough up what's not supposed to be there...

[monky]

When you first stop smoking, you may feel that you have more phlegm and mucus on your chest This may cause you to feel a bit rattly and as though you need to ' cough something up'... Doesn't sound very nice, I know but this is a good sign.

At the end of the day, you are only coughing up what is not supposed to be there!

1. Stand up with your legs your shoulder width apart.

2. Put your hands on your hips.

3. Take a long, deep breath in through your nose - Very slowly.

4. When you feel like you have taken your fill of air in, take another little bit more.

5. Keeping your hands on your hips, slowly bend over forward. As you do, blow your breath out slowly through your mouth Making a blowing noise as you do.

6. When you have pushed out that final bit of breath, stand up and give a gentle cough

Repeat this 3 times.

Because you are not used to all this good clean oxygen, you may feel slightly dizzy - This is just an oxygen rush. However, if you are not used to it, then please have a comfy chair at the ready.

If this cough lasts more than a couple of weeks, it may be worth visiting your GP.