Why is stress affecting my breathing?

Question

been stressed lately and I'm finding myself short of breath and achier than usual, anyone know why this is?

Answer 1

unfortunatly I do not know the medical reason for this, however I do know that stress attacks us in the strangest way.  In the run up to my wedding I suffered from quite bad vertigo and dizzy spells.   Now when i get an attack of stress, I suffer with stomach cramps.  

Answer 2

when are minds and bodies tend to be stressed we take short quick breathes. Not sure why, but it's our bodies reaction to the fight or flight mechanism. when ever you are stressed try to be aware of how you feel, and take really long deep breathes; it slows your heart rate and relieves stress. The aches are coming from the same thing. Our muscles tense up under stress, especially our neck, shoulders, and back muscles. try to breath deep and relax when you feel this way.

Answer 3

I know how you feel and it is very unpleasant. There is a very good quick-fix solution for when this happens. Take a paper bag and place it over your mouth, holding it tightly closed around your lips. Just breath in and out very slowly and the tension will drift away. When you say you are getting short of breath through stress, you are actually hyperventilating. Once you try the bag trick and see that it works, you will regain the 'confidence' to breath properly. If you are somewhere outdoors or somewhere you can't use the bag, then just physically relax your shoulders and start to breath very calmly and slowly. Sit down, if you can and concentrate on what you are doing. you will find this really helps and eventually, whenever you find yourself tensing up, it will become automatic to start to breath more slowly. another trick is to concentrate on something else which needs all your attention, so you wo'n't be concentrating on how you feel. These tips will help you regain control. Good luck.

Answer 4

I think it is the `fight or flight` syndrome - maybe an expert can tell you.

Our bodies apparently are still geared to this `fight or flight` reaction....like when were were cavemen, our heart beat faster when we were really stressed or scared.

All your energies are geared up (prepared) to flee or to stand and fight....this means other parts of your body are depived of oxygen as most of it goes in this `fear preparation`.

Stress is a type of tension. You need to learn to relax and you`ll probably feel better.