Nursing

In the know: Teach your patients to breathe easier

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, September 20, 2010

Using the diaphragm and not the chest is the most efficient and relaxing way to breathe. Chest breathing elicits anxiety. Try it: Breathe only with your chest and see how gradually you become more and more anxious. Now, switch to breathing with your diaphragm, bringing in your breath through your nose, allowing it to slide through your chest without raising your chest, and continuing down to the area just above your navel.

Some people have difficulty pushing out their abdominal area when inhaling and it may take some practice. But with practice, you and the patient you teach will find that it comes more naturally and that it results in a more alert and relaxed feeling.

For more tips, check out HCPro's book, Stressed Out About Difficult Patients.

Most Popular

Related Articles

  • Strategies for Nurse Managers, September 2009

    Inside this issue: Discover how to implement a successful nurse residency program; how public speaking training can improve...

  • Strategies for Nurse Managers, October 2009

    Inside this issue: Discover how customizing HIPAA training for different employee groups can make education more successful...

  • NCLEX myths

    The anxiety factor tied to the NCLEX lends itself to widespread rumors about how the exam works and speculation about...

  • Treating patients with ADHD

    Treatments for ADHD include medication management and behavioral treatment. Structuring a patient's environment and being...

  • Make the best of lectures

    To truly benefit from your lectures, you need to employ active listening. Hearing is passive: the spoken word floats into...