Improve your breathing after you’ve had Covid-19

Problems with breathing can persist quite a long time after suffering coronavirus.

About 80% of the work of breathing is done by the diaphragm. After illness the normal breathing pattern may be altered, with less diaphragmatic movement and greater use of neck and shoulder muscles.

This leads to shallow breathing, increasing breathlessness and fatigue, resulting in higher energy expenditure.

The “breathing control” technique is aimed at increasing the efficiency of the respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm, with less energy expenditure, less airway irritation, less fatigue and less breathlessness.

So sit in a supported position and breathe in and out slowly, in through the nose and out through the mouth, while letting the chest and shoulders relax and allowing the tummy to rise. Breathe in slower than you breathe out. This technique can be used frequently throughout the day, in 5-10 minute bursts, or longer if helpful.