Did you know that one of the best tools someone living with COPD can have in their toolbox is the pursed lip breathing technique? To practice pursed lip breathing, you take a deep breath in through your nose while counting to two, and then pucker your lips and blow out while counting to four. Doing this helps you breathe out more completely. Breathing out completely makes more room in the lungs for a deeper breath. This breathing exercise can help you when you are exercising or when you are feeling short of breath.
If you have been coming to COPD360social for a while, you have probably seen some posts about Harmonicas for Health. I LOVE this program and think it is such a fun way to practice pursed lip breathing and all enjoy the benefits the breathing technique can bring.
In case you don’t know about Harmonicas for Health, it is a COPD Foundation program designed to help people learn more about living well with COPD and teaches how to play harmonica. Why do we encourage harmonica playing? It is because harmonica playing mimics pursed lip breathing. And by blowing through the tiny holes in the instrument, you can get some of the same benefits.
The challenging thing about pursed lip breathing is getting people to practice it. Just like everything else, it can fall by the wayside and doesn’t remain part of the routine to stay on top of lung health. BUT playing harmonica can be fun and enjoyable enough that people want to practice it every day.
Here is an interview with one of our Harmonicas for Health instructors. You can learn more about the program by visiting this page on our website.
If you have tried Harmonicas for Health, what do you think about it? Are you making plans to come to our Play-Along on March 22? I would love for you to be there!