Breathlessness support
These breathlessness support materials, including short videos and written guides, provide simple ways to help your breathing.
They provide guidance on how to:
- control your breathing
- find good positions when you feel short of breath
- use guided imagery to relax
- use a handheld fan to help you feel less breathless
You can use these tools any time you feel short of breath – at home, after walking, or while getting better from illness. They can help you stay calm, feel safer, and manage breathlessness.
The resources have been translated from English into 12 further languages: Bengali, Gujarati, Italian, Polish, Portugese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Urdu, Welsh, Yoruba
Get advice from your GP if being short of breath is new for you, or if your breathing is getting worse.
Controlled breathing
- Be still. Relax your shoulders.
- Put your hand on your tummy.
- Slowly breathe in. Notice the tummy rise.
- Slowly breathe out. Relax the tummy.
- Wait for next breath to come and repeat.
Positions for when you feel short of breath
These positions may help you to breathe more easily. They can also help you to feel more comfortable when you are short of breath. If you find it difficult to move into these positions, speak to your health care team. They will suggest changes that may work for you.
1. Lie on your side
- Lie down on a bed or sofa
- Use pillows or cushions to support your head and chest
- Turn onto your left or right side, and slightly lean onto your tummy side
- Put your lower arm under the pillows
- Rest your top arm on the pillow, supporting your head
- Bend your top leg up
2. Lean forward when sitting
- Sit down at a table
- Spread your legs slightly apart
- Relax your arms on the table
- Use a fan or sip water to cool yourself down
3. Relaxed standing position
- Lean against a wall
- Hook your thumbs into your pockets or belt for support
- Relax your shoulders, arms and neck
4. Lean forward when standing up
- Lean against a countertop or other solid surface
- Keep a comfortable distance between your lower body and the surface
- Relax your hands, wrists and neck
Relaxation exercise
This exercise describes how to use guided imagery to relax. Learning to do this can help when you feel short of breath. Get advice from your GP if being short of breath is new for you, or if your breathing is getting worse.
Prepare
- Find a comfortable position, in an armchair or lying on a bed.
- Tell other people not to disturb you. Put your phone away.
Relax
- Close your eyes.
- If you find it hard to keep your eyes closed, choose a spot on the wall or floor in front of you. Keep your eyes fixed on that point.
- In your mind, check each part of your body to find parts that are tense. Check for frowning, or hunched shoulders. Try to relax these muscles gently.
Think of a scene
Choose a special place that makes you feel happy and secure. It could be indoors or outside.
When you have a scene in your mind, use your five senses to make it feel more real to you. Imagine the small details.
- First, what can you see? Think about the shapes and colours.
- Next, what can you hear and smell?
- Imagine picking up a small object. How does it feel? What shape is it? Is it rough or smooth?
- Now, think about the sense of taste. Maybe you have something to eat. Maybe you can taste the fresh air.
Remember how comfortable and happy you are in this special place. When you feel relaxed and it is time to finish, walk away from your scene in your mind.
When you have finished
- After being in a deep, relaxed state, your body needs time to adjust. Enjoy this feeling.
- Get up slowly. Don’t rush around straight away.
Tips
The more you practice this exercise, the easier you will find it. With practice, you should be able to tune in to it when you need to.
- Start small – try 10 minutes, twice a day.
- Record your own prompts on a phone, or ask someone to help you. Using recorded prompts can stop your mind from ‘wandering off’ and help you to focus.
Using a handheld fan
Will using a fan help me when I feel short of breath?
Cool air from a handheld fan may help you to feel less breathless. Electric fans with three or more spinning blades seem to work best. The air flow should be medium or strong.
How should I use the fan?
- Sit up in a comfortable position.
- Hold the fan about 6 inches or 15 centimetres in front of your face.
- Point the fan at the middle of your face.
- Feel the moving air around the sides of your nose and above your top lip.
- You should feel less breathless within a few minutes.
When should I use the fan?
You can use the fan for as long and as often as you wish. A fan may help:
- if you are suddenly short of breath
- when taking a rest from an activity
Remember to recharge the fan or take spare batteries when you are out of the house.
Is using a handheld fan safe?
There are no known problems with using a fan when you are feeling short of breath.
If a hand-held fan doesn’t feel right for you, try:
- fans that stand on the floor or on a table
- opening windows to let cool air in
- using a cool flannel on your face
Bengali
Bengali resources
Gujarati
Gujarati resources
Italian
Italian resources
Polish
Polish resources
Portugese
Portugese resources
Punjabi
Punjabi resources
Romanian
Romanian resources
Somali
Somali resources
Spanish
Spanish resources
Urdu
Urdu resources
Welsh
Welsh resources
Yoruba
Yoruba resources
Acknowledgment
Original resources were provided by the Breathlessness Intervention Service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Adapted and trialled in the NIHR and Cicely Saunders International funded Breathlessness Support Service trial (2010) at King’s College Hospital. Adaption of the resources for the “Breathlessness Support: addressing the ethnicity and health literacy imbalance” project (2024) was funded through Q Exchange.